TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Sumo fans and local supporters in Japan celebrated the speedy promotion of Ukraine star Aonishiki to the second-highest rank of ozeki on Wednesday following his first grand sumo tournament title.

The Japan Sumo Association decided earlier in the day on the promotion of 21-year-old Aonishiki, whose real name is Danylo Yavhusishyn, making him the first Ukrainian ozeki. He won the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament by defeating yokozuna Hoshoryu in a tie-breaking playoff Sunday.

Some 60 nursery school pupils gathered in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, where wrestlers of his stable are based when the tournament is held in the southwestern prefecture, to celebrate Aonishiki's achievement, raising a banner with a message of congratulations.

He was cheered by fans and local residents when he appeared before them after a promotion ceremony.

Aonishiki's promotion to ozeki after just 14 tournaments was the fastest for a wrestler who debuted in the lowest of professional sumo's six divisions since 1958, when the present calendar of six grand tournaments per year was adopted.