A Ukrainian sumo wrestler who left his homeland after Russia’s full-scale invasion has made historical past in Japan.
Danylo Yavhusishyn, additionally identified by his ring identify of Aonishiki Arata, has turn into the primary competitor from his nation to win an elite-level event.
He defeated Hoshoryu Tomokatsu, a top-ranked Mongolian wrestler.
Yavhusishyn was requested in his profitable ceremony interview if was happy together with his ends in sumo.
“No, I think this is just the beginning,” he stated.
Picture:
Danylo Yavhusishyn defeats Hoshoryu Tomokatsu on the Kyushu Grand Sumo Match. Pic: Kyodo/by way of Reuters
Yavhusishyn left Ukraine as an adolescent in 2022 after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his nation.
Yavhusishyn, 21, received the deciding match within the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Match in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Sunday, and he acquired the Prime Minister’s Cup from Takahiro Inoue, an adviser to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
He had determined to journey to Japan following the Russian invasion after hanging up a friendship with a Japanese wrestler at a event in 2019.
Ukraine has a robust Olympic wrestling custom. Zhan Beleniuk received a gold medal within the Greco-Roman class on the 2020 Tokyo Video games, staged in 2021 because of the COVID pandemic.
The celebrities of sumo descended on London’s Royal Albert Corridor final month for a serious event.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
3:12
Sumo returns to Royal Albert Corridor for second time in 1,500 years
It was solely the second time a Grand Match had been held outdoors of Japan within the sport’s lengthy historical past.
The five-day event was received by 26-year-old Hoshoryu.
