Ukrainian sumo wrestler wins second straight title in Japan

Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn after winning the tournament on Sunday. PIC/AFP

Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn won his second straight tournament on Sunday. The 21-year-old, who fled the war in Ukraine three years ago, triumphed at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo for the second title of his career.

Yavhusishyn, who is known by his ring name Aonishiki, became the first wrestler from Ukraine to win a competition when he came out on top at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November. That earned him promotion to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki in record time, having made his debut in July 2023.

His second title takes him a step closer to promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna, a feat no European-born wrestler has ever achieved. Yavhusishyn is the fourth European to become an ozeki, following wrestlers from Estonia, Bulgaria and Georgia.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever