FUKUOKA, JAPAN — Ukrainian-born sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn has made history in Japan after securing his country’s first-ever elite division tournament title, completing a remarkable rise from wartime displacement to the upper ranks of one of Japan’s most tradition-rich sports.
Competing under the ring name Aonishiki Arata, the 21-year-old claimed the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament championship in Fukuoka on Sunday, November 23, 2025, after defeating reigning yokozuna Hoshoryu in a final-day playoff bout. The victory followed a 12–3 record over the 15-day competition, marking a breakout performance for the young wrestler.
The win establishes Yavhusishyn as the first athlete from Ukraine to capture a top-division sumo title in Japan and places him in strong consideration for promotion to Ōzeki, the sport’s second-highest rank. The Japan Sumo Association is expected to review rankings ahead of the next tournament.
Danylo Yavhusishyn was born in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, where he began practicing sumo at the age of seven. He rose quickly through national youth competitions, becoming a junior champion before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine forced him to leave the country in 2022.
After a period of displacement in Europe, he relocated to Japan to continue his training and pursue a professional career. Upon joining a Tokyo-based stable, he adopted the traditional sumo shikona — the professional ring name Aonishiki Arata — in accordance with long-standing custom within the sport.
Yavhusishyn advanced rapidly through the ranks, achieving steady results in the lower divisions and earning promotion to the top tier within three years. Known for his speed, footwork, and composed stance at the tachiai, he has established himself as one of the sport’s rising competitors. His Kyushu tournament victory marks the highest achievement of his career to date and a historic milestone for Ukraine in the world of sumo.
Throughout the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, Yavhusishyn displayed consistency and technical precision, securing critical wins in the final days to force a playoff for the championship. His victory over Hoshoryu — one of the sport’s most dominant active wrestlers — underscored his readiness to compete at sumo’s elite level.
Stable officials noted that his preparation and discipline have remained steady since joining the professional circuit. Following his win, Yavhusishyn addressed the crowd in fluent Japanese, expressing gratitude to supporters and acknowledging those who assisted his transition into the sport’s highest ranks.
His championship has drawn attention both in Japan and internationally, with observers noting the significance of a Ukrainian wrestler reaching the top of a sport deeply tied to Japanese tradition.
With a major title secured, Yavhusishyn enters the next tournament cycle as a leading contender. A potential promotion to Ōzeki would position him among the top figures in professional sumo and mark another milestone in an already unprecedented career.
The Japan Sumo Association will finalize its official rankings ahead of the upcoming tournament. Yavhusishyn is expected to resume training immediately in preparation for the next phase of competition.
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