Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki (Danylo Yavhusyshyn) was awarded as one of the best athletes of the Spring Tournament in Japan, winning an impressive 11 out of 15 possible victories.
This was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan.
"It took him only 9 tournaments to enter the highest sumo league, Makuuchi - such an achievement is one of the most outstanding in the entire history of sumo!" , the embassy noted.
Aonishiki is a 20-year-old sumo wrestler from Vinnytsia. In 2019, he became the European champion in the 92 kg weight category and the bronze medalist of the World Championship in the 100 kg category. In 2021, he won three gold medals at the Ukrainian Championship.
Sumo is a type of martial arts in which two wrestlers compete on a round field. This sport originated in Japan and is considered one of the types of martial arts. The tradition of sumo has been going on since ancient times, so each duel is accompanied by numerous rituals. Legend connects the very existence of the modern Japanese nation on the Japanese islands with sumo. The patron deity of sumo wrestlers is Nomi-no-Sukune, a legendary wrestler during the time of Emperor Suinin.