Overview
- The Japan Sumo Association confirmed Danylo Yavhusishyn’s promotion on Wednesday, and he accepted the ozeki rank at a ceremony in Fukuoka.
- He clinched the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday with a 12-3 record, defeating yokozuna Hoshoryu in a playoff to take the Emperor’s Cup.
- He is the first Ukrainian to win a top-division sumo title and the first Ukrainian ozeki, becoming only the fourth European to reach the rank.
- His rise is the fastest from debut to ozeki since the six-tournament calendar began in 1958, excluding wrestlers who started higher via amateur achievements.
- Born in Vinnytsia, he evacuated to Germany after Russia’s 2022 invasion, moved to Japan that April, trained at Kansai University, and joined Ajigawa stable under former sekiwake Aminishiki.