# The Ukrainian refugee fighting to become the first European sumo grand champion

## Introduction

Known by his fighting moniker, Aonishiki Arata, the Ukrainian wrestler recently won promotion to sumo’s highest level in Japan.

## Background

Danylo Yavhusishyn, a 20-year-old Ukrainian refugee from Ukraine, arrived in  in April 2022 as a teenage refugee and faced the challenge of adapting to a new culture and language. This weekend, he will make his debut in the top division of the ancient sport of  wrestling, after rising through the ranks with record speed.

His achievements have not gone unnoticed in Ukraine. Writing in the , sports journalist Ihor Stelmach praised Aonishiki for his achievements in the sumo ring. He said he had “capitalised on his opportunity to the point of being mentioned as a potential future European sumo wrestler at the top of Japan’s national sport”.

More than 2,700 Ukrainians sought refuge in Japan after the Russian invasion as part of a scheme launched by the Japanese government that entitles them to working visas and long-term residency. Almost 2,000 remain.

In a  last year by the Nippon Foundation, which has provided living and other expenses to Ukrainian refugees, 39% said they wanted to stay in Japan “for as long as possible”, while 34% said they wanted to return home once the situation there had stabilised.

Showing the kind of humility expected of sumo wrestlers, Aonishiki attempted to play down his achievement after fighting his way into the sport’s elite, telling reporters: “All I’ve done is follow my stablemaster’s instructions.”

## Flight from Ukraine

Aonishiki's journey from Ukraine to Japan began in 2019, when he was admitted to a sumo program that featured former wrestler Aminishiki. Despite experiencing culture shock and anxiety over the fate of his home country, he was a dominant force in the university sumo ring. According to contemporaries, he easily defeated heavier opponents using his physical strength and faultless technique.

“Danya will end up becoming a yokozuna,” Sakamoto told the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. “He’s formidable.”

Aonishiki has risen through the ranks since his professional debut in September 2023, accumulating winning records in successive tournaments, as his hair grew long enough to be tied into a top knot, while the addition of extra kilos has made him an even tougher proposition. As he prepares for a tournament late last year, with yet another promotion in sight, he said he was fighting for the “Japanese family” who had helped him since he fled Ukraine.

## ‘All I’ve done is follow instructions’

After the Russian invasion in February 2022, Aonishiki, who had recently fled to Germany with his parents, reached out to Yamanaka, whose family agreed to host the Ukrainian teenager. He was given permission to train at the university despite not being enrolled as a student.

“Danya will end up becoming a yokozuna,” Sakamoto told the Asahi. “He’s formidable.”

As he prepared for a tournament late last year, with yet another promotion in sight, Aonishiki, who is now fluent in the language of his adopted home, said he was fighting for the “Japanese family” who had helped him since he fled Ukraine.
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