War Refugee Aonishiki Becomes First Ukrainian to Win Top Sumo Championship

Ukrainian-born wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn — known in Japan as Aonishiki Arata — has made history by becoming the first Ukrainian to win an elite-level sumo championship. At just 21, and after fleeing the war in Ukraine in 2022, he captured the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament with a dramatic tie-breaking victory over grand champion Hoshoryu.