A Ukrainian who fled his homeland following Russia's full-scale invasion has rapidly ascended to stardom in Japan's ancient sport of sumo, recently achieving a significant victory against one of its highest-ranked champions.
Danilo Yavhushyshyn, who left Ukraine three and a half years ago, now competes as Aonishiki Arata. The 21-year-old's meteoric rise culminated three months ago with a defeat of Mongolian-born Hoshoryu, one of Japan's two grand champions (yokozuna).
