is a Ukrainian professional sumo wrestler from Vinnytsia, Vinnytsia Oblast. He is the second Ukrainian to become a professional sumo wrestler, after Shishi in 2020. He wrestles for Ajigawa stable, at his highest rank, , which was the fastest promotion to the rank since the modern six-tournament schedule was introduced in 1958, accomplishing the feat in just 14 tournaments. He would then soon lose and immediately regain the rank over the course of the July 2026 tournament.
Aonishiki has posted double-digit wins in each of his first eight tournaments at status. In the top division, he won 11 matches in each of his first four tournaments before earning a top division title on his fifth and sixth tournaments at that level of competition. Aonishiki earned a special prize in each of his first five top division tournaments, also earning a on his third tournament.
Early life and sumo background Yavhusishyn started sumo at the age of seven, and placed third at the 2019 World Junior Sumo Championships. He also has a freestyle wrestling and judo background. He was inspired to try sumo after his seniors set up a sumo ring in his club. His interest grew thanks to the fast pace of the matches, which appealed to him.
Yavhusishyn continued practicing sumo and won three gold medals at the Ukrainian national championships at the age of 17, with an unbeaten record. At the same age, he finished ninth at the 2021 World Cadets Wrestling Championships in the Men's 110.0 kg category. At one point, he wondered about his professional future when the idea of becoming a professional wrestler took root in him after seeing an online video of the match between Takanohana and then- Asashōryū during the 2002 Autumn Tournament.
Yavhusishyn was accepted by a Ukrainian university, but because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he decided to leave his country, first seeking refuge in Germany before arriving in Japan in April of the same year, using the friendship he had forged with Arata Yamanaka, Kansai University sumo club captain, an older amateur sumo wrestler with whom Yavhusishyn met at the 2019 World Junior Championships. In Japan, he was hosted at Yamanaka's apartment in Kobe (Hyōgo Prefecture), where his host family spent their own money so that he could stay in Japan in the best possible conditions, helping him to cope with homesickness and loneliness, with Yavhusishyn calling them his "Japanese family".
Yavhusishyn trained with the sumo clubs of Kansai University and Hōtoku Gakuen High School (Yamanaka's alma mater), despite not having student status. During this period, it was noticed that Yavhusishyn was already at a much higher level than his university counterparts, notably winning several matches against future Isegahama stable's wrestler Toshinofuji, while the latter was competing at Doshisha University after immigrating to Japan. Yavhusishyn maintains a friendship with the club, by which he is nicknamed "Danya".
Through Kansai University sumo clubs, Yavhusishyn was introduced to Ajigawa (the former Aminishiki). In December 2022, Yavhusishyn was formally accepted as one of Ajigawa stable's first recruits. Initially, Ajigawa was reluctant to recruit Yavhusishyn, initially not wishing to recruit foreign wrestlers (subject to recruitment restrictions) and concerned about the cultural and language barrier, but gave in to the young wrestler's determination.
Professional debut Early career Yavhusishyn officially joined Ajigawa stable's training camp before the July 2023 tournament, and took the new apprentice examination. After obtaining a work visa, he made his debut in the September tournament of the same year. He was given the , a ring name created by merging the kanji , referring to the Ukrainian flag, and the kanji meaning and , from his master's . He himself chose to bear the first name , as it is that of , the former captain and now coach of the Kansai University sumo club that helped him find refuge in Japan. Asked about this choice, Aonishiki replied "now I feel like we're fighting together".
During his first professional tournament, Aonishiki won the division. At that point, he brought only the second championship to his stable after his stablemate Anōsho also won this division in July 2023. In January 2024, he claimed his second championship with the division, after a playoff against Kokonoe stable's Chiyotaiko. In March 2024 tournament he was promoted to , but after six consecutive wins, he lost to Kise stable's Nagamura in his last match for the tournament, ending his 20 bout winning streak since his debut. For the May tournament he was promoted to and finished with a record. During the September tournament of the same year, Aonishiki rose to the top of the division, and after the tournament it was reported that his score of would normally be enough for promotion to the division. His promotion for the November tournament was confirmed after the post-tournament ranking meeting.
promotion Aonishiki is the first wrestler raised by former Aminishiki to reach status since the founding of his stable. He is also the second wrestler from Ukraine (after Shishi) to reach this rank, and the fifth fastest promotion since the introduction of the six-tournament system in 1958 after his debut (excluding system).
At the press conference for promotions, he admitted to being inspired by his country's results at the 2024 Summer Olympics, adding that he absolutely wanted to avoid showing an embarrassing level of sportsmanship. He also commented that, "My master was promoted to at the age of 21. I wanted to make sure I didn't lose to him". During his first tournament, Aonishiki recorded a double digit record. Even though he is not a graduate from Kansai University, he was presented with a by the university, because he trained there before his professional debut. Another was presented to him following negotiations between one of his patrons, the president of the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection in Hokuto, Yamanashi. The apron features Keith Haring's work "Earth, World", originally created in 1985 during the Cold War, representing a desire for world peace supported by people of different races and nationalities, echoing the war in Ukraine and a desire for world peace.
During the 2025 January tournament, Aonishiki established himself as one of the leaders of the competition, rivalled also by Shishi, the only other Ukrainian wrestler in professional sumo. On Day 12, the two wrestlers faced off in the first match with two Ukrainian wrestlers in the history of the sport, with Shishi emerging victorious from the clash and taking sole leadership of the competition. Although Aonishiki failed to win the championship, he solidified his chances of being promoted to , sumo's top division, for the March tournament. After the tournament, Aonishiki was perceived by the press as the only European wrestler capable of reaching the top of the sport's hierarchy, despite the performances of his elder Shishi.
Up and comer Aonishiki was officially promoted to the top division for the 2025 March tournament. This tied him with both Takerufuji and the former Jōkōryū as the fastest to be promoted from debut to the top division, doing so in nine tournaments. Coinciding with his promotion, his compatriot Shishi's return to the top division also makes their country, Ukraine, the seventh foreign country to have two -ranked wrestlers in the history of professional sumo.
Aonishiki downplayed the significance of this achievement, telling reporters: "I've just been following my stablemaster's instructions." He added that he wanted to give a strong performance, and would aim for double-digit wins and a special prize () in his debut.
During the tournament, Aonishiki qualified as one of the most competent wrestlers, holding on to just three defeats until the twelfth day, recording a series of seven consecutive victories in the process. On Day 6, he triumphed over his compatriot Shishi in the first match between two Ukrainians in the history of the sport, claiming revenge on the latter after his championship loss in January. On the final day, Aonishiki won his match against Ōhō, earning his eleventh victory by ('twisting backward knee trip'). For his performance in the tournament, which ended on his birthday, Aonishiki was awarded the Fighting Spirit prize, becoming the second wrestler to win such an award in the shortest time, behind Takerufuji.
During the 2025 May tournament, Aonishiki stood out as one of the leaders of the competition, recording seven victories and one defeat during the first half of the tournament, sharing the lead group after undefeated Ōnosato with Wakatakakage and Hakuōhō. Aonishiki's winning streak came to an end, however, when he was defeated by Wakatakakage, a wrestler he admires, effectively taking him out of the title race with two defeats behind the tournament leader. Although he struggled against the top-ranked wrestlers of the (losing to Daieishō and Kotozakura), Aonishiki finished his second tournament with an eleventh victory, winning his second Fighting Spirit special prize after his victory over Sadanoumi. After his performances in his first two tournaments, Aonishiki drew attention to a potential promotion to the ranks for the July tournament. He just missed out on this potential promotion, instead being elevated to the top rank for July.
During the 2025 July tournament in Nagoya, Aonishiki earned his first ever career on the third day by defeating Hōshōryū. This occurred in Aonishiki's 12th professional tournament, which set a new speed record for the fastest wrestler in the history of the six-tournament system (established in 1958) to get their first gold star. The previous record was 14 tournaments, which was set by former Konishiki in 1984 and matched by Tomokaze in 2019. By the midway point of the tournament he was one win off the lead, having won five matches against seven opponents ranked at or higher. On Day 11 he moved into a share of the tournament lead. He dropped out of the lead when he was defeated in his Day 14 contest by new Kusano, and was defeated by leader Kotoshoho himself the following day, who claimed his first top-division tournament as a result. Aonishiki was awarded runner-up in a five-way tie with Atamifuji, Kusano (who had also lost on the final day), Ōnosato, and Tamawashi, also earning the Technique prize. Prior to the start of the July tournament, NHK released a documentary on Aonishiki titled Blue Whirlwind: A Ukrainian sumo wrestler.
In September 2025, Aonishiki was promoted to the rank of . With his promotion, he became the first Ukrainian to be promoted to , as well as the first competitor for Ajigawa stable. Having been promoted to in 12 tournaments, Aonishiki also set a new record for the fastest promotion to since the introduction of the six-tournament system in 1958 (except wrestlers who entered sumo by way of ), beating the 14 tournament record jointly held by former Asashōryū and former Konishiki and Kotoōshū. His promotion also makes him the third wrestler in sumo history (excluding ), after Akebono and Kotoōshū, to be promoted to the ranks without ever having recorded more losses than wins since debut in the division. During this tournament, he achieved on Day 9 his 100th victory since turning professional, becoming the fastest wrestler (excluding system) to reach this milestone since his debut, since the introduction of the seven-day tournament system for wrestlers in and below in 1960. Aonishiki finished the tournament with eleven wins, his fourth consecutive tournament in with this score. For his performances, he was awarded the Technique Prize for the second consecutive tournament.
Bid to and first top-division championship