Sekiwake Aonishiki, a 21-year-old from Ukraine, secured his first top-division title by defeating yokozuna Hoshoryu in a playoff on the final day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka. The win almost certainly guarantees his promotion to ozeki. His path from war-disrupted Ukraine to sumo's elite ranks underscores his perseverance.
Aonishiki, whose real name is Danylo Yavhusishyn, hails from Vinnytsia in central Ukraine. Combat sports like judo are popular there, and sumo is known partly because the father of legendary yokozuna Taiho was Ukrainian. Yavhusishyn began sumo at age 7, aspiring to become a professional wrestler.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked a pivotal moment. He evacuated to Germany temporarily before deciding to head to Japan. He contacted Arata Yamanaka, 26, whom he met at the 2019 Junior Sumo World Championships in Sakai, and arrived in Japan in April 2022. Staying with Yamanaka, then captain of Kansai University's sumo club, Yavhusishyn trained as a practice member. Introduced by Yamanaka's high school mentor, he joined the Ajigawa stable.
He debuted in the 2023 Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament under the shikona Aonishiki Arata, choosing 'Arata' in honor of his friend Yamanaka. Bolstered by a strong lower body from childhood wrestling alongside sumo and rigorous training, Aonishiki has avoided losing records since debut, achieving double-digit wins in five straight tournaments to rise rapidly.
Stablemaster Ajigawa, formerly sekiwake Aminishiki, noted: “Having come from a foreign land, he has been working so hard to understand the culture of sumo.” After the victory, Aonishiki hugged his attendant and wiped away tears at the end of the hanamichi. He reportedly said he was glad to reach this point and had chosen the right life path.
Yamanaka, now a coach at Kansai University's sumo club, watched the playoff on TV. “For me, it also was the happiest day of my life,” he said. “Even before entering the stable, I believed he would become a wrestler who would thrill the world of sumo. He is truly amazing.”
Yuji Nakao, 70, chair of Aonishiki's support group formed in Osaka in October, said: “He has gone through many difficulties as he was driven away from his hometown because of the war. Although he showed some immaturity as a wrestler a year ago, he never gave up and continued to strive even after experiencing a defeat. He grabbed the glory with his own efforts.”
Kansai University Alumni Association Chair Yoshinobu Tanaka, 74, added: “I imagine he sometimes feels it is difficult, but he never shows it. He is humble, dedicated to sumo and even accepts defeat with grace.” The university supports Aonishiki, expected to compete as ozeki in the March Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka, its hometown.
Aonishiki's triumph demonstrates the fruits of his unyielding commitment.