After nine consecutive tournaments won by Japanese and Mongolian wrestlers, this Sunday marked a historic moment: for the first time, a Ukrainian wrestler has won a sumo tournament.
Aonishiki claimed the Kyushu Basho title after a tie-breaking victory over grand champion Hōshōryū Tomokatsu of Mongolia. Both wrestlers finished with a 12–3 record, prompting a playoff that Aonishiki won with a rear-throw-down.
A rapid rise through the ranks
Since joining professional sumo in 2023, Aonishiki has demonstrated remarkable progress. The 21-year-old reached the upper divisions within a year and climbed to the fourth-highest rank (komusubi). For the Kyushu tournament, he was promoted to sekiwake, the third-highest rank, just 13 tournaments after his debut, the fastest in the modern six-tournament system.
After his Kyushu triumph, the Japan Sumo Association is already discussing his potential promotion to ozeki, the second-highest rank below yokozuna.
From Ukraine to Japan
Born in central Ukraine, Yavhusishyn began practicing sumo at the age of seven and became a national champion at seventeen.
When the war began, he narrowly avoided the military draft due to his age and sought refuge in Germany before moving on to Japan, arriving without knowing the language. His parents have remained in Germany. He became only the second Ukrainian-born professional sumo wrestler when he debuted in July 2023, following compatriot Shishi.
Looking ahead
Given his extraordinary rise and strong performances, we believe him when he says he has his sights set on reaching the very top of the sumo hierarchy. Aonishiki is one of our favorite wrestlers, and we look forward to seeing him promoted to ozeki, a promotion that now seems well within reach.
