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BREAKING: NZ’s Candy Lee Becomes First Transgender Women’s Champion

History was made in the pro wrestling world today at Impact Pro Wrestling: New Zealand‘s Nightmare Before Christmas show, when transgender wrestler Candy Lee defeated IPW:NZ Women’s Champion Britenay to become the company’s new Women’s Champion. Candy Lee becomes the first transgender woman to win a major indie women’s title.

Candy Lee Becomes First Transgender Women’s Champion

…….& your new Candylicious @IPW_NZ Women’s Champion. #ANDNEW #AllSweetEverything ????✨ pic.twitter.com/cDDwe9rlTH

— ?Christmas Candy ?? (@CandidlyCandy_) December 16, 2017

Candy Lee (real name Leilani Tominiko) is a 22-year old Samoan wrestler who trained at the IPW Training Academy, making her debut with Impact Pro Wrestling last October. While not the first transgender pro wrestler – American wrestler Amanda “The Blood Thirsty Vixen” debuted first in 2011 with American Wrestling Alliance (AWA) and in the UK, Harley Ryder made her debut in 2013. Amanda also won a title, winning the WILD Women’s Championship from Lucky O’Shea in 2011, in the now defunct World Independent Ladies Division (WILD) Wrestling promotion in California.

Photos: Amanda (Photo: Missouri Wrestling Revival); Harley Ryder (Photo: Harvey Hook/Hot Spot Media)

https://www.facebook.com/nzherald.co.nz/videos/vb.34497296301/10154763247536302

Jamie Greer

Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son.