Tama Tonga announces retirement from Japanese pro-wrestling

This article was originally published by RNZ Pacific.

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.

"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."