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A Ukrainian refugee has become the first person from his country to win an elite-level sumo tournament.<\/b><\/p>\n
Danylo Yavhusishyn – known by his sumo ring name Aonishiki – arrived in Japan as an 18-year-old in 2022 after the Russian invasion of his country.<\/p>\n
Now aged 21, he is the first Ukrainian to claim the prized Emperor’s Cup and the first European in almost eight years to do so.<\/p>\n
He is now on the verge of being promoted to the second-highest rank of Ozeki, in what would be the fastest promotion in history.<\/p>\n
Aonishiki finished the 15-day tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, with a record of 12 wins and three losses and went on to win the championship play-off against Yokozuna grand champion Hoshoryu, a 26-year-old Mongolian who won last month’s London tournament.<\/p>\n
In his winning ceremony interview, Aonishiki was asked if he felt satisfied with his results after three years in sumo.<\/p>\n
“No, I think this is just the beginning,” he replied.<\/p>\n
The name Aonishiki contains the Japanese character for “blue” – a reference to the Ukrainian flag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n