TOKYO (AP) — Danilo Yavhushyshyn left his native Ukraine 3 1/2 years ago — just after Russia launched a full-scale invasion — and has risen rapidly to stardom in Japan as one of the top sumo wrestlers.

He's so good that three months ago the 21-year-old defeated one of the sport's top wrestlers.

This was not just any top wrestler. He beat Mongolian-born Hoshoryu who, with Japanese-born Onosato, is one of the two highest-ranked wrestlers in Japan. They both carry the title of grand champion — or yokozuna.

Yavhushyshyn now goes by the Japanese ring name of Aonishiki Arata and, at a news conference on Thursday, he chose to speak almost exclusively about his rise in the sport.

Some high-profile Ukrainians abroad openly appeal for support for the war. But Aonishiki stuck to sports.

Aonish

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