On May 11, the stablemaster of wrestler Aonishiki confirmed that the Ukrainian ozeki will be unable to compete throughout the ongoing 2026 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Japan. Sustaining an injury that forced his withdrawal, sumo rules stipulate that missing an entire tournament mandates a demotion from ozeki (the second-highest rank) to sekiwake (the third-highest rank).
Aonishiki, whose real name is Shunichi Aonishiki, is the first Ukrainian sumo wrestler ever to achieve the ozeki rank in the sport's history. He gained attention for his rapid rise through the ranks thanks to his superior strength and technique. However, recent shoulder and knee injuries have prevented him from maintaining his form.
Aonishiki's absence is a major blow to this year's tournament, as he was considered one of the top contenders for the championship. It remains unclear whether he will be able to return for the next tournament in July.
