Aonishiki Achieves Sumo Rank in Japan

• Aonishiki has become the first Ukrainian to achieve the rank of yokozuna.
• The promotion took place after the tournament in Kyushu.
• He achieved the yokozuna rank with a record short tenure in 14 tournaments.

Tokyo — Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki, who is 21 years old, received promotion to the rank of yokozuna, which is the second highest in Japanese sumo. This decision was approved by the Japan Sumo Association on November 26, 2025.

Aonishiki, whose real name is Danylo Yavghushyn, became the first Ukrainian to achieve this rank. He moved to Japan in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and made his debut in the main sumo tournament in 2023.

The promotion was made possible after the tournament in Kyushu, where he secured his first championship, defeating Hoshoryu. Aonishiki became the fastest wrestler to achieve the yokozuna rank since the introduction of the six tournament system in 1958, achieving this in just 14 tournaments.

After the ceremony, Aonishiki noted that he was happy, but felt the need to work even harder to achieve a higher rank, called yokozuna. He also shared a story about his parents, who live safely in Germany, and how they supported his career, despite the challenging circumstances.

Aonishiki emphasizes his skill and speed, as well as his fluency in the Japanese language, which he learned while living with Japanese wrestlers. In his career, he has built popularity among the Japanese public due to his dedication and appearance in sumo.

Tags: Ukraine/Sport