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A Ukrainian refugee has become the first person in the country to win an elite-level sumo championship.
Danylo Yavhusishyn (sumo ring name Aoshinishi) arrived in Japan in 2022 after Russia invaded Japan, and was only 18 years old at the time.
The 21-year-old is the first Ukrainian to win the precious Emperor’s Cup and the first European to do so in nearly eight years.
He is now on the verge of being promoted to the second-highest level of ozeki, which will be the fastest promotion in history.
Qingjin finished the 15-day tournament in Fukuoka, Japan with a 12-3 record and a championship playoff victory over 26-year-old Mongolian Hoshoryu, the overall yokozuna champion and winner of the London Championships last month.
During the interview at the award ceremony, Qing Jin was asked whether he was satisfied with his results after three years of sumo wrestling.
“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.
