Ukrainian refugee grapples to top of sumo in Japan

Danylo Yavhusishyn arrived in Japan in April 2022 as a teenage refugee from the war in Ukraine, unable to speak a word of the language and uncertain how long he would be separated from his family.

- Justin McCurry

This weekend, the 20-year-old will make his debut in the top division of the ancient sport of sumo wrestling, after rising through the ranks with record speed.

"I'm more excited than nervous," he told reporters and fans in a public appearance before a major tournament in Osaka. "I'm looking forward to competing against tough opponents. I want to win more than 10 bouts and win one of the three awards [for exceptional performances]."

Now known by his Japanese ring name Aonishiki Arata, the Ukrainian wrestler recently won promotion to sumo's highest level when he ended the New Year's tournament in Tokyo with 12 wins and three losses.

It has taken him just nine tournaments to reach the top tier of Japan's de facto national sport - an accomplishment that ties him with two other wrestlers for the fastest ascent through all six divisions since 1958, when sumo adopted its current format of six grand tournaments, or basho, a year.