Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki, real name Danylo Yavhusishyn, clinched his second consecutive championship at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan by defeating maegashira No. 4 Atamifuji in a playoff after both finished with 12-3 records. The 21-year-old, who fled the war in Ukraine three years ago, became the first Ukrainian to win an Emperor's Cup following his victory at the Kyushu tournament in November. His rapid rise is captivating the sumo world.
Aonishiki, whose real name is Danylo Yavhusishyn, has maintained an undefeated record since his professional debut in July 2023 and earned promotion to ozeki in record time. On the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, he tied with Atamifuji at 12-3 and won the playoff with a decisive left-arm kubinage neck throw. In his winner's interview, he addressed the sold-out crowd in fluent Japanese: "I was able to win, thanks to you," and vowed to perform even better in the upcoming Spring tournament in Osaka.
Born in central Ukraine, Aonishiki took up sumo at age seven and became a national champion at 17. After Russia's invasion, he avoided the military draft for men over 18 by seeking refuge in Germany before moving to Japan. His parents remain in Germany, and he arrived without knowledge of the language. He is the second Ukrainian-born professional sumo wrestler, following Shishi.
This triumph marks the first time a newly promoted ozeki has won a tournament in nearly two decades, since Hakuho in 2006. As only the fourth European to reach ozeki rank—after wrestlers from Estonia, Bulgaria, and Georgia—he is now closer to yokozuna promotion, a rank no European has achieved. No European-born yokozuna has ever existed, and another victory could position him strongly for it. His success brings fresh international flair to the ancient Japanese sport.
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