Copyright Athlon Sports
Highlights: • Ukrainian wrestler Aonishiki shocks fans with a one-handed throw in London • First Grand Sumo Tournament in the city since 1991 sells out instantly • Mongolian yokozuna Hoshoryu claims victory after an undefeated run You may not be a hardcore fan of Sumo, but there are some things so impressive they do not require an intimate understanding of the art to raise an eyebrow. Such a thing took place on Sunday at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Before we get into the context, first take a look at this viral moment that has been viewed nearly four million times. Here’s the viral moment that was posted by BBC Sport. The athlete who expertly performed the one-handed throw better known as a Russian Tie Snap is Aonishiki. He’s Ukrainian and clearly possesses an insane level of skill and power. He caught his opponent Atamifuji Sakutarō completely off guard. Perhaps even more amazing, Aonishiki is only 21 years old. He weighs more than 400 pounds, but clearly is gifted with more mobility than most any man his size. The clip comes from the Grand Sumo Tournament at London’s Royal Albert Hall — the first event of its kind in the city since 1991. It marked a cultural milestone for sumo, blending Japanese tradition with a Western audience in one of the most iconic venues in the world. The weekend concluded with Mongolian yokozuna Hoshoryu winning the tournament after an undefeated run. For fans, it was more than competition; it was a fusion of art, respect, and raw athleticism. Aonishiki, whose real name is Danilo Yavhushyshyn, fled Ukraine because of the ongoing war and has since built his name in Japan, rising through the ranks with an unconventional mix of power and fluidity. His now-famous Russian Tie Snap not only highlighted his skill but symbolized the global reach of sumo itself. It’s rare for a single move to spark so much conversation across continents, yet this one did — pulling millions of casual eyes into a sport rooted in centuries of discipline. I have been a casual fan of sumo for a long while. Embarrassingly, WWE Superstar Yokozuna was the first introduction I had with any form of the culture back in the early 1990s. I quickly realized how watered down that spin was–though I still love Yoko and everyone from the Samoan dynasty in pro wrestling. Over time I read and watched videos on sumo culture and just last year I went to Sumo and Sushi. It’s an educational event hosted by world-renown sumo wrestler who became the second non-Japanese athlete to reach ozeki level–which is the second-highest rank in the art. It takes special experiences and performances to draw fans to a sport that is outside of their normal reach. And what Aonishiki did on Sunday could be one of those moments for anyone with an appetite for martial arts and Japanese culture.
