Ukraine-born sumo wrestler Aonishiki is the first from his country to win a top championship

TOKYO — Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki has become the first from his country to win an elite-level sumo championship

TOKYO — Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki has become the first from his country to win an elite-level sumo championship.

Even more impressive: he defeated Hoshoryu on Sunday in the deciding match in the Kyushu tournament in western Japan.

Hoshoryu was born in Mongolia and is one of the top-ranked wrestlers in Japan’s national sport. The other is Japan-born Onosato.

Born Danilo Yavhushyshyn, he left Ukraine more than 3 1/2 years ago just after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his country. He is only 21, has risen very quickly and wrestles under the ring name of Aonishiki Arata.

Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn, also known by his Japanese ring name Aonishiki Arata, wins the championship match by defeating Hoshoryu.STR / AFP - Getty ImagesNon-Japanese sumo wrestlers have excelled in different periods in Japan. They have included Mongolians, Hawaiians and now a Ukrainian.