Leilani Tominiko

Leilani Tominiko
Born (1995-08-30) 30 August 1995 (age 29)
Samoa
Other namesCandy Lee
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

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]

Professional wrestling career

In 2016, Tominiko made her professional wrestling debut with Impact Pro Wrestling, where she would go on to become a three-time IPW NZ Women's Champion and one-time Armageddon Cup winner.[5][6] Tominiko also wrestled for promotions such as Shimmer Women Athletes, Rise Wrestling, and Melbourne City Wrestling.[7][8]

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)[9]
  • Professional Wrestling Entertainment
    • PWE Women's Championship (1 time)[6]

References

  1. ^ "NZ's first pro transgender wrestler". The New Zealand Herald. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Casey, Alex (7 April 2019). "How Candy Lee is candy crushing the wrestling world". The Spinoff. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c 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 "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. ^ Santos, Spenser (4 November 2019). "Review: SHIMMER 116". Pro Wrestling Post. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  8. ^ Apps, Jamie (9 October 2019). "Preview: Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW) – Nine". Last Word on Sports. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  9. ^ Bell, Brian (22 June 2022). "Candy Lee beats Dark Sheik and Edith Surreal". Outsports. Retrieved 23 March 2024.

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