Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn became the first-ever sumo champion in Japan on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
A 21-year-old refugee who fled the Ukraine war three years ago won the Kyushu tournament after a tie-breaking victory over grand champion Hoshoryu from Mongolia.
The sumo wrestler, known asAonishikiin the ring, moved to Japan at the age of 18 in 2022, after the Russia-Ukraine war began.
While speaking to fans at Fukuoka Kokusai Centre in Japan, the young champion expressed his feelings, “I am happy that I am able to achieve a goal of mine.”
Furthermore, Anonishki is excited, as Japan’s Sumo Association will soon hold a special meeting to promote him to "Ozeki," the second-highest ranking under "Yokozunka," or grand champion.
Yavhusishyn was born in central Ukraine and took up sumo at the age of seven, participated in many world junior sumo competitions, and became a national sumo champion at 17.
After leaving his country amid the Ukraine-Russia war, he started a blistering career in Japan's sumo divisions, winning promotion to the fourth-highest rank in only a year.
Aonishiki won 12 of his 15 fights in the Kyushu Basho (Emperor’s Cup) and also defeated the grand champion, the 26-year-old Mongolian Hoshoryu, in the championship playoff.
When asked if he’s satisfied with his performance, Danylo replied, “No, I think this is just the beginning.”