Ukrainian sumo star Aonishiki wins third Emperor's Cup in tense playoff
The Nagoya Basho grand sumo tournament has concluded in the city of Nagoya, with Ukrainian Danylo Aonishiki Yavgusyshyn emerging as the champion.
Source: Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company
Details: Going into the final day, Aonishiki had a record of 12 wins and two losses. His main rivals – Japan's Atamifuji and Mongolia's Kirishima – each had one fewer victory.
The imposing Atamifuji (187 cm, 197 kg) was Danylo's opponent on the final day. A win would have guaranteed the Ukrainian the championship.
Unfortunately, he did not secure it. His opponent prevented the Ukrainian from grabbing his belt, then used his strength to push Danylo out of the dohyo.
Mongolian Kirishima also won his bout against Kotozakura. This meant all three rikishi finished the Nagoya Basho with 12 wins apiece.
Championship playoff
Match 1: Atamifuji v Kirishima
Match 2: Aonishiki v Atamifuji
Match 3: Aonishiki v Kirishima
The three-way playoff continued until one wrestler secured two consecutive victories. Everything was decided in the first round. Aonishiki first took his revenge against Atamifuji and then overcame Kirishima in a hard-fought bout.
Danylo claimed his first victory at last year's November Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka, and also won the Hatsu Basho in Tokyo in January this year.
The Ukrainian moved to Japan in spring 2022. He was taken in by Japanese wrestler Arata Yamanaka, whom he had met at the 2019 World Sumo Championship, where Danylo won a bronze medal as part of the Ukrainian team.
He was subsequently accepted into the Ajigawa stable in Tokyo, where he trains under former sekiwake Aminishiki.
The Ukrainian progressed through sumo's lower divisions relatively quickly, making his makuuchi debut last March.
In his first six tournaments, he lost only 22 times. Such outstanding results over an extended period earned him the status of tsunotori – a candidate for the rank of yokozuna.
To claim the most prestigious title, Yavgusyshyn needed to win the Haru Basho in Osaka. Due to a broken toe, he had the worst tournament of his career (7-8). Before the May Natsu Basho, he injured his ankle and withdrew from the competition.
The 22-year-old from Vinnytsia competed throughout the entire tournament with leg injuries. His coach expressed concern that his condition could worsen.
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