Ukrainian sumo star Aonishiki trains to contend for Japan's top prize

Ukraine-born Aonishiki, a 21-year-old ozeki who has won two consecutive grand tournaments, is training in Tokyo ahead of the spring Osaka tournament where a win would make him eligible for promotion to yokozuna.

Aonishiki, a Ukraine-born sumo wrestler, is deep in training in Tokyo as he prepares for the spring grand tournament in Osaka. He is 21 years old and currently holds the ozeki rank after winning two straight grand tournaments. He left Ukraine following the February 2022 invasion and later began formal sumo training in Japan with help from friends and a sumo stable. His ring name, Aonishiki Arata, pays tribute to the Ukrainian flag and to Japanese mentors who supported him. Key facts: - Born Danylo Yavhusishyn in Ukraine, he is now known in sumo as Aonishiki Arata. - He has won two consecutive grand tournaments and holds sumo's second-highest rank, ozeki. - A win at the spring tournament in Osaka would make him eligible for promotion to yokozuna, a rank achieved by 75 men in the sport's history. - He trains in Tokyo and has said he wakes each day wanting to get stronger and climb higher. - His rise has coincided with growing international interest in sumo, including recent exhibitions abroad. Summary: Aonishiki's rapid ascent in the sport has drawn attention in Japan and overseas and is linked in reports to renewed public interest in sumo. The immediate next milestone is the spring Osaka tournament; a victory there would make him eligible for promotion to yokozuna. The outcome of that tournament will determine whether he advances to the sport's highest rank.