The wrestler from Melitopol became the first Ukrainian to enter the top division of sumo in Japan.

The first Ukrainian to reach the highest division of Japanese sumo is Serhiy Sokolvskyi, known as Shishi Masaru. This was reported by the Ukrainian ambassador to Japan, Serhiy Korsunskyi.

Serhiy Sokolvskyi, a native of Melitopol, has been practicing wrestling since childhood and switched to sumo at the age of 15.

His debut in Japan took place at the spring tournament in 2020.

After two years, the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, and Melitopol was under occupation.

During the fierce battles in the city, Shishi was unable to return home and kept in touch with his mother through nightly video calls.

"I am incredibly happy that I will be able to call my mom," quotes the wrestler in Asahi Shimbun.

Shishi Masaru has impressive parameters - a height of 193 centimeters and a weight of 171 kilograms, but his path to the makuuchi division was lengthy.

It took longer than expected, considering his talent, - said trainer Ikazuchi.

Currently, Shishi spends a lot of time in the trainer's house, helping with paperwork and playing with Ikazuchi's children, whom he affectionately calls "brother" and "sister.".

We remind that earlier another athlete from the Russian Federation participated in an event organized by an organization involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children.