Tama Tonga Photo: Supplied/ Tama Tonga
Japan Pro-Wrestler Tama Tonga has announced an end to his 14-year career with New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
The 41-year-old ends his career on a high, having announced his championship victory in the Open weight Category.
"This is very hard for me to say, and I just made up my mind today that this will be my last month with New Japan Pro Wrestling," said Tama Tonga at a post-match presser just minutes after reclaiming his title against Shingo Takagi.
"I love Japan, I love everything that I learned here, everyone that I met, whether they were wrestlers, staff, journalists...I've connected with a lot of you", said Tama Tonga.
Tama Tonga is the ring name of Alipate Leone, a Tongan American wrestler and son of WWF legend King Haku (Tonga Fifita). Born in Tonga, Leone was adopted by King Haku as a child and taken to the United States where he grew up. Now a family man and father of three, Alipate said he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Tama Tonga performs corner kick against Takagi in the Openweight championship title fight of the New Japan Pro Wrestling tournament. Photo: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
"I just had my third baby a couple of months ago. Leaving her and my two other kids at home with my wife has been very difficult for me," said Leone.
"My father was a wrestler and until now, I finally realized how he felt, leaving for work for months at a time while my mom took care of four of us by herself for months at a time," Leone added.
"I feel for her (mother) being a single parent for my childhood, and I have the utmost respect for that."
After serving in the United States Air Force for six years Leone was invited to try out pro-wrestling in Japan. His charisma as a boisterous villain quickly made him a mainstay in the Japanese wrestling scene.
"During this magical moment in my career, you'd think I'd be elated, over the moon, just so happy and I am, but damn I miss my family, I miss my wife, I miss my kids,"
"This is very hard for me to say, and I just made up my mind today, that this will be my last month with New Japan Pro Wrestling...I must find work closer to home to be with my family."