Rikishi in 2016, photo by kathclick/www.bigstockphoto.com
Birth Name: Solofa Fatu
Place of Birth: San Francisco, California, United States
Date of Birth: October 11, 1965
Ethnicity: Samoan, as well as 1/16th English
Rikishi is an American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in WWE. He also wrestled under the names Fatu, The Sultan, and Rikishi Phatu.
Rikishi is the son of Elevera Anoa’i and I’aulualo Folau Solofa Fatu, who emigrated from American Samoa to San Francisco. He is married to Talisua Fuavai. They have five children, including Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Solo Sikoa, who are also professional wrestlers. He is a member of the Anoa’i wrestling family which includes his brothers The Tonga Kid and Umaga, his uncles Afa and Sika Anoa’i, and his first cousins Yokozuna, Rosey, and Roman Reigns.
Rikishi’s maternal grandfather was Amituana’i Anoa’i, also known as The Rev. Anoa’i Amituana’i (the son of Ifopo F. Amituana’i and Puaaelo Faagata). The Rev. Anoa’i was born in Fagaalo, Mauputasi, American Samoa. He was a pastor in the village of Utulei before moving to San Francisco. Ifopo was the adoptive father of professional wrestler Peter Maivia, who is himself the adoptive grandfather of professional wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Rikishi’s maternal grandmother was Tovaleomanaia Florence Leoso “Tovale” Ripley (the daughter of Edward Fepulea’i Leoso Ripley, aka Ned Ripley, Jr., and of Tagi’ilima Tisa “Tagi” Li’o). Tovaleomanaia was from Leone, Tutuila, American Samoa. Ned was the son of Edward Leoso “Ned” Ripley II and Saitaua/Saitava “Sa” Fepulea’i Papu. Rikishi’s great-great-grandfather Ned’s own father, Edward V. P. “Ned” Ripley, was an American, from Boston, Massachusetts, and was a secretary to the governor of Tutuila. He was of Colonial American (English) descent. Rikishi’s great-grandmother Tagi’ilima was the daughter of Tisa Fulu’ena Li’o and Fiapa’ipa’i Taeleifi.
Sources: https://www.youtube.com
Elevera Anoa’i – https://www.familysearch.org
Tovaleomanaia “Tovale” Florence Leoso Ripley, on the 1930 U.S. Census: https://www.familysearch.org
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