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KURUME, Japan – Ukrainian sumo athlete Aonishiki was elevated on Wednesday to the sport’s second-top position, ozeki, following his success at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

A 21-year-old athlete makes history as the first Ukrainian ozeki following his first top-tier championship victory at the 15-day tournament held at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, competing from the third-highest position, sekiwake.

He secured the Emperor’s Cup in a remarkable way, overcoming yokozuna Hoshoryu in a tie-breaking match following both achieving 12 wins and three losses.

The exceptional wrestler, whose actual name is Danylo Yavhusishyn, has made a significant impact on the sumo scene since his debut in September 2023, just 17 months after moving to Japan from his conflict-ridden homeland.

The Japan Sumo Association officially announced Aonishiki’s promotion during a meeting held on Wednesday morning in Tokyo, which was subsequently followed by a promotion ceremony in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, where the wrestler’s Ajigawa stable is located for the Kyushu tournament.

There remains one higher rank, so I intend to strive for it,” Aonishiki stated. “I am confident (but) I need to enhance my performance in every aspect. The top ranks in sumo are yokozuna and ozeki. I will give my utmost effort with a strong sense of duty.

His promotion to ozeki following only 14 tournaments breaks the previous record of 19, held by Bulgarian-born Kotooshu, for the quickest ascent by a wrestler who started in the lowest of professional sumo’s six divisions, jonokuchi, since 1958, when the current schedule of six major tournaments annually was introduced.

Wrestlers who have impressive amateur backgrounds, like the current yokozuna Onosato, began their professional careers in the third-level makushita division.

Aonishiki’s rise to ozeki following only five tournaments in the top makuuchi division matches Onosato’s record for the quickest promotion since 1958.

At the age of 21 years and eight months, Aonishiki is the fourth youngest sumo wrestler to have his ozeki promotion officially recognized in this era. The legendary Hakuho comes before him on the list, having accomplished the same feat just under a month after turning 21.

Having trained in freestyle wrestling and judo, as well as sumo, Aonishiki is recognized for his distinctive grappling technique, which includes a low, forward-bent posture and resistance to being thrown or pushed down.

He has demonstrated exceptional regularity, securing a minimum of 11 victories in every one of his five makuuchi competitions.

Aonishiki will be promoted to the second-highest rank alongside Kotozakura, meaning there will be two yokozuna and two ozeki competing at the January New Year Grand Sumo Tournament held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan venue in Tokyo.