Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn said Monday that he had surprised even himself by becoming the first from his country to win a tournament in the ancient Japanese sport.

The 21-year-old, who fled the war in Ukraine three years ago, is set to be promoted to sumo's second-highest rank this week after winning the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

The victory earned Yavhusishyn, who is known by his ring name Aonishiki, his first title in only his 14th tournament.

He did it by beating Mongolian grand champion Hoshoryu on Sunday.

"To be quite honest I wanted to win the tournament but I didn't really think that I could," he told reporters in Fukuoka.

"I'm really happy."

Yavhusishyn was born in central Ukraine and took up sumo at the age of seven, becoming a national champion at 17.

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