Leilani Tominiko

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.

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

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". NZ Herald. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  2. Casey, Alex (7 April 2019). "How Candy Lee is candy crushing the wrestling world". The Spinoff. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. 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. "Native Affairs - Wrestlemania Kiwi Style". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  6. "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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