Ramaphosa Closes G20 Summit Amid US Boycott, Ukrainian Sumo Star Celebrates Champion Title

The G20 summit in Johannesburg concluded with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa banging a gavel, marking the end of a gathering that was overshadowed by a boycott from the United States. This year’s summit faced significant tension as the US accused South Africa of discrimination against its white-minority Afrikaners, a claim that lacks broad credibility. Ramaphosa emphasized the summit as a successful exercise in multilateralism while deflecting queries about the absent US delegation.

In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa stated: “We have demonstrated our ability to come together... to pursue a better world.” His mention of the US was brief, as he looked ahead to next year’s summit, which is set to take place at Trump National Doral Miami. The US spokesperson, Anna Kelly, criticized Ramaphosa for not facilitating a straightforward transition of leadership from South Africa to the US, indicating that the situation reflects poorly on the G20’s foundational principles.

The summit did result in a joint declaration focusing on pressing issues such as climate change and achieving gender equality, despite opposition from the US. Notably, other leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping also skipped the event, further highlighting the fractures within the global coalition.

In contrast to the political developments in South Africa, Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn, known in the ring as Aonishiki Arata, achieved a historic victory in Japan, becoming the first Ukrainian to win an elite sumo tournament. The 21-year-old secured the title at the Kyushu tournament after a tense tie-breaking match against Mongolian grand champion Hoshoryu.

Yavhusishyn, who fled war-torn Ukraine three years ago, expressed his joy in fluent Japanese to fans following his victory at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center. His rise in the sport has been meteoric; he began training in sumo at age seven and quickly rose through the ranks upon relocating to Japan.

Originally from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Yavhusishyn settled in Japan in 2022 and has since become a national sensation. As he continues to climb the ranks, aiming for the prestigious title of yokozuna, he reflects on his remarkable journey that includes heartwarming elements of cultural integration and personal achievement in the face of adversity.

These recent events underscore contrasting narratives of international relations and individual triumphs. The G20 summit showcased ongoing geopolitical challenges, while the success of Yavhusishyn highlights resilience and the unifying power of sports against a backdrop of conflict. Such developments resonate widely on social media under hashtags like #G20 #Sumo #Ukraine #SouthAfrica.