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Leilani Tominiko

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Leilani Tominiko
Born (1995-08-30) August 30, 1995 (age 29)
Samoa
Occupation
  • Professional Wrestler

Leilani Tominiko (born 30 August 1995) is a Samoan-New Zealander professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Candy Lee. She is the first openly transgender professional wrestler in New Zealand.[1] She is a former IPW NZ Women's Champion and Maniacs United New Zealand Professional Wrestling Women's Champion.

Early life and education

Tominiko was born in Samoa, and relocated to Auckland, New Zealand with her family when she was five years old.[2] She has seven brothers and one sister.[3] The family was raised in West Auckland, attending Liston College and later transferring to Kelston Girls' College.[3] Tominiko was bullied by her peers as a child. She has noted that this bullying led her to watch WWE's Royal Rumble on television as a form of escapism.[4][2]

Career

Tominiko left school in Year 12, taking additional courses and working in a jewellery shop. She reached out to a manager, asking about entering the wrestling industry, and had her first match arranged in 2016.[2] Known in the wrestling industry as Candy Lee, Tominiko has two signature moves: the Gobstopper and the Candy Crush. The Candy Crush is her most well-known move, and involves slamming the competitor onto the ground.[3][1] Her wrestling name was partially inspired by American wrestler Candice Michelle. Tominiko also cites Kelly Kelly and Nikki Bella as inspirational wrestlers.[5] Tominiko has won various awards within the wrestling industry such as the Women's Armageddon Cup, Maniacs New Zealand Professional Wrestling Women's Champion, and the IPW NZ Women's Champion.[5][6]

Personal life

Tominiko identifies as fa'afafine and transgender.[3] She is also vegan, as of 2018.[6]

Championships and accomplishments

  • Impact Pro Wrestling
    • Armageddon Cup (1 time)[5]
    • IPW New Zealand Women's Championship (3 times)[6]
  • Maniacs United
    • Maniacs New Zealand Professional Wrestling Women’s Champion (1 time)[6]
  • Pro Wrestling VIBE
    • Paris Is Bumping Grand Prize Championship (1 time)[7]
  • Professional Wrestling Entertainment
    • PWE Women's Championship[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "NZ's first pro transgender wrestler". NZ Herald. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Casey, Alex (7 April 2019). "How Candy Lee is candy crushing the wrestling world". The Spinoff. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d McEvoy, Matt (2022). 30 Queer Lives: Conversations with LGBTQIA+ New Zealanders. Massey University Press. pp. 31–38.
  4. ^ "Watch: Transitioning from bullied kid to wrestling champ". RNZ. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Native Affairs - Wrestlemania Kiwi Style". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Interview: Candy Lee Is All Sweet Everything". Daily DDT. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  7. ^ Bell, Brian (22 June 2022). "Candy Lee beats Dark Sheik and Edith Surreal". Outsports. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
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