TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki wrote his name in the record books Monday as rankings were announced for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

With 13 tournaments under his belt, the 21-year-old has attained sumo's third-highest rank, sekiwake, faster than any wrestler starting from the bottom of the sport's six divisions since 1958, when the current calendar of six meets per year was introduced.

Wrestlers with outstanding amateur records, such as current yokozuna Onosato, are allowed to make their professional debuts in the third-tier makushita division.

Aonishiki, who moved to Japan three years ago to escape the war in Ukraine, broke the mark set by Hawaiian-born former ozeki Konishiki of 14 meets before promotion to sekiwake.

The talented grappler will start the Nov. 9-23 tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center as the first new sekiwake to never post a losing record on his way up from the sixth-tier jonokuchi division since Akebono at the May 1991 Summer meet.

"I never imagined I'd get this far," Aonishiki said. "I'm surprised myself, but I want to aim even higher."

Aonishiki was in title contention until late in September's Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, which he finished with 11 wins and four losses, matching the records from his other three meets in the elite makuuchi division.

He will be joined at sekiwake by Oho, regaining the rank he last held in March.

Onosato and Mongolian-born Hoshoryu remain atop the rankings for the 15-day tournament as sumo's two current grand champions.

No. 16 maegashira Oshoumi, 24, is set to become the first makuuchi debutant from Ishikawa Prefecture since Onosato in January 2024.

==Kyodo