The popularity of traditional Japanese sumo has seen a welcome rise in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the Eastern European country three years ago.
With some 3,000 competitors in the full-contact sport, it often draws comparisons with the folk dance Hopak, the national dance of Ukraine originating in the 16th century as a dance performed by Cossacks celebrating victories when they returned home from war.
Seeking a safe place to practice amid the ongoing conflict at home, junior national team members visited Japan in January and February to participate in sumo training camps, including one held in one of the most sacred cities for sumo.
Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2024, shows people practicing sumo wrestling in the eastern Ukraine province of Kharkiv. (Photo courtesy of Tetiana Karachenko)(Kyodo)
“I look up to Shishi,” 12-year-old Yevhen Hrytskov said during a break at a camp in the southwestern city of Usa, Oita Prefecture, in late January, while wearing a “mawashi” loincloth.
Hrytskov was referring to the Ukrainian-born professional sumo wrestler who won the second-tier juryo-division championship title at this year’s New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
“I like him because of his friendly personality and his outstanding tachi-ai,” he said. The tachi-ai is the initial charge between two wrestlers at the beginning of a sumo bout.
Staying true to the image of a growing sumo boy, Hrytskov later scarfed down 25 “onigiri” rice balls purchased from a nearby convenience store.
Photo taken on Jan. 28, 2025, shows Yevhen Hrytskov practicing at a sumo training camp in Usa, Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. (Kyodo)
Hrytskov lives in the eastern Ukraine province of Kharkiv, bordering Russia. Since the Russian invasion, finding safe places for sumo practice has been difficult.
A missile even hit the apartment complex next to his home. The elementary school he attends continues to offer online classes due to safety concerns, and he admits to “always feeling anxious.”
After the Ukrainian Sumo Federation consulted with Japanese officials, Tetsuya Miike, 58, who is involved in cultural exchanges with Russia, and others established an office in Japan for the federation. Training camps were arranged in Usa and other cities between May and July 2022.
Photo taken on Feb. 11, 2025, shows Yevhen Hrytskov (R) posing for a photo with Shishi at the Hakuho Cup at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan arena. (Kyodo)
Usa is the birthplace of sumo legend Futabayama, known as the “god of sumo,” who reigned as a “yokozuna” grand champion in the late 1930s through the mid-1940s. Proud to be considered sacred ground for the sport, the city has an excellent training environment and had worked hard to continue holding training camps.
However, its attempt to host another full training camp was unsuccessful due to a general mobilization order that prohibits Ukrainian males aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country.
As a result, only high schoolers and other younger wrestlers, accompanied by two female trainers, were able to participate this time for around 10 days from Jan. 27.
Hrytskov won a sumo tournament in Ukraine in March 2024. Invited by another support group, he participated in a tournament for children held at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan (National Sumo Arena) in August of the same year and won the division for fourth graders.
Photo taken on Jan. 15, 2023, shows a building that collapsed after an attack by Russia, in the eastern Ukraine province of Kharkiv. (Photo courtesy of Tetiana Karachenko)(Kyodo)
Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2024, shows an apartment complex next to Yevhen Hrytskov’s home after a missile attack by Russia in the eastern Ukraine province of Kharkiv. (Photo courtesy of Yevhen Hrytskov)(Kyodo)
Following the training camp in Usa, Hrytskov also competed in the annual Hakuho Cup at Kokugikan and met Shishi, who encouraged him to “get stronger” when he came to watch the competition aimed at fostering internation goodwill and understanding.
Olga Mytnyk, 53, one of the trainers, said sumo is popular in Ukraine because, like the Hopak, it incorporates elements of martial arts. “Ukrainians are very conscious of their tradition because they almost lost their identity as a result of long-term bullying by Russians,” she said.
The other trainer, Tetiana Karachenko, 30, also from Kharkiv, was happy to practice sumo together with the children in a tranquil environment free from the constant fear of missile attacks.
Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2025, shows Tetiana Karachenko, who participated as a trainer at a sumo training camp in Usa, Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. (Kyodo)
“Japanese sumo is entertaining because it demonstrates the instant clash of maximum power,” she said, adding, “I will bring everything I have learned here back to children” in Ukraine.
Mytnyk, Karachenko and others involved in the training camp said having a Ukrainian “yokozuna” — a grand champion — to call their own one day would be a dream come true.
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