Ukrainian sumo star Aonishiki trains for Japanese national
The Ukraine-born grappler who has taken the sumo world by storm is now in deep training for a historic run at the highest prize in Japan's national sport.
Aonishiki, whose sumo name means "blue brocade" in honour of the Ukrainian flag, has rocketed through sumo's ranks at record speed.
The 21-year-old is coming off two-straight grand tournament wins and has already achieved the sport's second-highest status as an ozeki champion.
A win at the spring tournament in Osaka next month would make him eligible for promotion to yokozuna, an exalted grand champion status that has been achieved by just 75 men in the sport's history.
Aonisshiki said "I wake up every day wanting to get stronger, wanting to climb another rank higher."
Born Danylo Yavhusishyn, the future star was preparing to enter university in Ukraine when Russia invaded in February 2022, prompting the amateur wrestler and sumo enthusiast to leave his homeland.
A friend from his sumo circle took him into his home in Kobe in western Japan and the young Ukrainian began training in earnest in the sport.
He took the name Aonishiki Arata, which also pays tribute to his sumo master, who fought under the name Aminishiki, and the surname of the Japanese man who gave him shelter from the war.
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