Danylo Yavhusishyn was only 17 when he and his family fled their home in Ukraine and sought refuge in Germany. Just three years later, living in Japan, he achieved the fastest promotion to sumo’s second-highest rank since the second world war. Short film “Refugee Rikishi,” created by director Johnny Langenheim and editor Tommaso Di Paola, follows his rigorous training regime as he prepares for one of Japan’s six major sumo tournaments. The duo tell Marigold Warner how The Sumo Association’s press restrictions forced them to find creative ways to tell Danylo’s extraordinary story.
Directors: Johnny Langenheim & Tommaso Di Paola
DoP + Colourist: Troy Edige
EP: Andrea Land
Producer: Sophia Macpherson
Assistant Producer: Masaki Miyamoto
Editor: Tommaso Di Paola
Composer: Matteo Tronchin
Sound Design: Will Ward
