Danilo Yavhushyshyn’s journey from war-torn Ukraine to the ancient dohyōs of Japan is nothing short of extraordinary. Just three and a half years ago, he was a teenager in Vinnytsia, west-central Ukraine, grappling with the daily realities of a world turned upside down by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Today, at 21, he stands among the brightest stars in Japanese sumo, known to fans and rivals alike as Aonishiki Arata.
His rise has been nothing less than meteoric. Only three months ago, Aonishiki stunned the sumo world by toppling Mongolian-born Hoshoryu, one of Japan’s two grand champions—yokozuna. That victory was more than just a personal milestone; it signaled the arrival of a new force in a sport steeped in tradition and dominated for centuries by Japanese and, more recently, Mongolian titans. With this win, the young Ukrainian etched his name into the annals of sumo history, sending ripples through both the sumo community and his homeland, where his exploits have become a rare source of encouragement during trying times.
At a news conference held Thursday, October 9, 2025, Aonishiki faced the media with a calm focus, steering the conversation away from politics and toward his passion for sumo. “My country is in a very difficult circumstance, however, I am a sumo wrestler so I would like to speak about sumo,” he declared in fluent Japanese—a language he has mastered with remarkable speed since arriving in Japan in 2022. He continued, “My family, they now are in Germany, so they are safe.”
That desire to keep the spotlight on his sporting journey, rather than his status as a Ukrainian refugee, was evident throughout the press conference. When pressed about the war and his growing profile in Japan, Aonishiki replied, “I hope that people from Ukraine will be able to see my sumo and have some kind of encouragement from that.” His words, simple yet heartfelt, resonated with fans back home and abroad, many of whom look to sports as a beacon of hope in dark times.
Aonishiki’s story began long before he set foot in Japan. He was introduced to sumo at the tender age of six, a rarity in Ukraine, where the sport enjoys popularity but is often practiced alongside wrestling or judo. “Sumo is quite popular in Ukraine, however it’s quite rare for someone to be doing only sumo,” he explained. “They’ll often be doing wrestling and sumo, or judo and sumo.” Ukraine’s strong tradition in Olympic wrestling—evidenced by Zhan Beleniuk’s gold in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Tokyo Games in 2021—provided fertile ground for Aonishiki’s early athletic development.
His journey to Japan began in earnest after a chance meeting with a Japanese wrestler at a 2019 tournament. That friendship proved pivotal. By 2022, with his homeland in turmoil, Aonishiki made the life-altering decision to relocate to Japan, immersing himself in the rigorous, highly regimented world of sumo. Since then, he has not returned to Ukraine, though the longing for home remains ever-present. “It is the place where I was born, where I was raised,” he shared. “It is my homeland and there are many people I know there. So if there were a chance I would like to be able to go and visit Ukraine.”
In Japan, Aonishiki has adapted quickly, not only to the language but to the demanding lifestyle of a sumo wrestler. He spoke at length about his training, diet, and efforts to bulk up—an ever-present challenge. At 125 kilograms (275 pounds), he is considered light by sumo standards, where many competitors tip the scales at 150 kilograms (330 pounds) or more. “My weight is somewhat lighter or smaller than others,” he admitted. “If possible I would like to increase my weight by around 10 kilograms (22 pounds). However, that’s not so easy to do. It’s hard to really eat more than I am at the moment. It could be quite painful in a way.”
Despite his relative lightness, Aonishiki’s strength is formidable. He can bench press 210 kilograms (460 pounds), a feat that has drawn admiration from coaches and competitors alike. His technical prowess and agility, honed from years of cross-training in Ukraine’s wrestling tradition, have become his calling cards in the ring. These attributes helped him overcome the physically imposing Hoshoryu in their recent bout, a victory that will be remembered for years to come.
Aonishiki is not alone in carrying the Ukrainian flag in Japanese sumo. Shishi Masaru, another Ukrainian, has also risen to prominence, underscoring the growing internationalization of the sport. Non-Japanese wrestlers—Mongolians, Hawaiians, and now Ukrainians—have excelled in different eras, each bringing their own style and spirit to sumo’s centuries-old rituals.
Looking ahead, Aonishiki is candid about his ambitions. He has expressed interest in obtaining a Japanese passport, a move that would cement his status in his adopted homeland. For now, though, his focus remains squarely on the sport he loves. The daily grind of training, the relentless pursuit of improvement, and the desire to inspire both Japanese and Ukrainian fans drive him forward.
His journey has not been without its challenges. The pain of separation from his homeland and family, the pressure to perform under the watchful eyes of Japanese sumo elders, and the struggle to gain weight in a sport where size often confers advantage—these are hurdles he faces with quiet determination. Yet, his resilience shines through, both in his words and in his performances on the dohyō.
“If possible, I would like to be able to go and visit Ukraine,” he reiterated at the press conference, his voice tinged with longing but also with hope. Until that day comes, Aonishiki Arata continues to write his own chapter in the story of sumo, one match at a time, offering a ray of hope to those watching from afar.
As the sumo world watches this young Ukrainian’s ascent, one thing is certain: his journey is far from over. With each bout, each victory, and each word of encouragement, Aonishiki Arata stands as a testament to the power of sport to transcend borders and lift spirits—even in the most uncertain of times.
