Ukrainian wrestler Aonishiki has continued his rapid ascent in sumo, earning a record-fast promotion to the sekiwake rank. The 21-year-old achieved this after just 13 tournaments, breaking a previous mark set in 1958.
The 21-year-old Ukrainian Aonishiki, who has never recorded a losing tournament since his professional debut, earned promotion to sumo's third-highest rank of sekiwake on Monday. This achievement, confirmed in the banzuke rankings released by the Japan Sumo Association for next month's Kyushu Grand Tournament in Fukuoka, came after just 13 tournaments.
The promotion breaks the previous record of 14 tournaments set by Konishiki since the six-tournament-per-year system began in 1958. The record excludes wrestlers who started in the third-tier makushita division due to exceptional collegiate results. The Kyushu tournament starts on November 9 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Oho returns to sekiwake for the first time in four tournaments. Takayasu retained his komusubi rank, while Takanosho makes a comeback to komusubi after 22 tournaments. Oshoumi becomes the new face in the top makuuchi division at No. 16 maegashira.
Takerufuji has dropped to the juryo division, but fellow Aomori native Nishikifuji's return to makuuchi preserves a 142-year streak of at least one wrestler from the prefecture in the top division since 1883. Chiyoshoma also returns to the upper division.
Aonishiki's rise highlights the global appeal of sumo and the potential for rapid advancement within its ranks.