Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki speaks during a news conference in Matsubara, Osaka Prefecture, on Feb. 24, 2026. (Kyodo)
MATSUBARA, Japan (Kyodo) — Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki described the mounting pressure surrounding his bid for promotion to yokozuna, the highest rank, as “natural” as rankings for the upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament were released on Tuesday.
“I think pressure is only natural. I’m grateful for the attention,” the 21-year-old dynamo said at a news conference in Osaka Prefecture, adding that he hopes to enter the tournament “in good condition.”
Having won back-to-back championships at the January tournament, Aonishiki is now under scrutiny over whether he can reach yokozuna at the March 8-22 tourney at Edion Arena Osaka in just 16 tournaments since his debut.
If promoted, Aonishiki would surpass the record of 25 tournaments set by Mongolian former yokozuna Asashoryu in 2003, possibly becoming the fastest wrestler to rise from the bottom division to the top rank since the current six-tournament calendar was established in 1958.
After moving to Japan to escape Russia’s war against his home country, he began training at the sumo club of Osaka Prefecture-based Kansai University, before joining the Ajigawa stable.
“There are many warm people here who speak to me around town,” Aonishiki said of the western Japan prefecture.
With Tuesday marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Aonishiki said he hopes to “deliver a strong performance and bring good news” to the Ukrainian people.
In the latest rankings, Atamifuji, who lost to Aonishiki in a playoff at January’s New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, was promoted to komusubi, sumo’s fourth-highest rank.
The 23-year-old became the first wrestler from Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan to reach the sanyaku ranks — the three titled positions below yokozuna of ozeki, sekiwake and komusubi — in 96 years.
“I will do my best to win a championship and rise higher,” Atamifuji said at a separate news conference.
AloJapan.com