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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

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

Japan Refugee Danya Ukraine
Aonishiki Arata, a sumo wrestler who hails from Ukraine
Aonishiki Arata, a sumo wrestler in Japan who hails from Ukraine Photograph: Sumofan2/ Wiki Commons

Danylo Yavhusishyn arrived in Japan in April 2022 as a teenage refugee from the war in Ukraine, unable to speak a word of the language and uncertain how long he would be separated from his family.

This weekend, the 20-year-old will make his debut in the top division of the ancient sport of sumo wrestling, after rising through the ranks with record speed.

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