Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki continues his remarkable ascent in professional Sumo, capturing the January 2026 New Year Grand Sumo Tournament and securing the second Emperor’s Cup of his young career. This is his second consecutive grand tournament.
The 21-year-old finished the 15-day tournament with a 12–3 record, forcing a playoff at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan against the maegashira Atamifuji. In the playoff, Aonishiki was driven toward the edge of the ring before executing a Kubi Nage (sumo technique), a neck throw in which a wrestler wraps an arm around the opponent’s neck to unbalance and throw him, to defeat Atamifuji and secure the championship.
Back-to-back titles at the top level
The victory follows Aonishiki’s breakthrough triumph at the Kyushu Basho (Fukuoka Grand Sumo Tournament) in November, where he became the first Ukrainian-born wrestler to win a top-division title. That success earned him promotion to the ozeki title in record time, making January’s tournament his first appearance at sumo’s second-highest rank.
By winning the title in his very first tournament as an ozeki, Aonishiki joined an exclusive group, becoming the first wrestler since Hakuho in 2006 to achieve a championship debut at this rank.
A career accelerating at extraordinary speed
Since entering professional sumo in July 2023, Aonishiki’s rise has been nothing short of exceptional. He reached the top division in just over a year and climbed through the san’yaku ranks at a pace rarely seen in the modern six-tournament system.
Having secured two straight championships, the spotlight has shifted to the ultimate goal: promotion to yokozuna. A strong performance in the next few tournaments could place him firmly in the running, an achievement no European-born wrestler has ever accomplished.
From Ukraine to the heart of sumo
Born in central Ukraine, Aonishiki (real name Danylo Yavhusishyn) began practicing sumo at the age of seven and became a national champion as a teenager. Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, he sought refuge in Germany before moving to Japan, arriving without knowledge of the language and leaving his parents behind in Europe.
He debuted as only the second Ukrainian professional sumo wrestler, following his compatriot Shishi, and has since rewritten expectations for foreign wrestlers in the sport.
Looking ahead
As the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka approaches in March, Aonishiki has the opportunity to achieve a rare third consecutive championship. A further victory would strengthen his yokozuna credentials and confirm his status as one of sumo’s most compelling wrestlers today.
For fans and observers alike, Aonishiki’s rise from a young sumo hopeful in Ukraine to a dominant force on Japan’s clay is one of the most compelling stories of the year.
