✨ Explore this must-read post from BBC Sport 📖
📂 Category:
💡 Main takeaway:
A Ukrainian refugee has become the first person from his country to win an elite-level sumo tournament.
Danilo Yavhusishin – better known by his sumo ring name Onishiki – arrived in Japan as an 18-year-old in 2022 after the Russian invasion of his country.
Now 21 years old, he is the first Ukrainian to win the prized Emperor’s Cup and the first European in nearly eight years to do so.
He is now on the verge of promotion to the second highest ozeki rank, in what will be the fastest promotion in history.
Aonishiki finished the 15-day tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, with 12 wins and three losses, and went on to win a championship playoff against top yokozuna champion Hoshoryuu, a 26-year-old Mongolian who won the London tournament last month.
In his interview at the victory ceremony, Onishiki was asked if he felt satisfied with his results after three years in sumo.
“No, I think this is just the beginning,” he replied.
The name Aonishiki contains the Japanese character for “blue” – a reference to the Ukrainian flag.
💬 Tell us your thoughts in comments!
#️⃣ #Onishiki #Ukrainian #sumo #prodigy #champion #Japan
