WORDS OF WISDOM FROM ONE OF THE KINGS OF WRESTLING
He can be a terror in the ring but King Haku is a pretty nice guy when he’s not bodyslamming someone.
“This is the man I told you about,” said a father to his two boys as they approached the legendary wrestler. “He is the toughest man in the world.”
“Not really,” said Haku with a smile, as he held out a hand to exchange grips with the two young wrestling fans.
The 61-year-old veteran of “the squared circle” had a smile and a handshake for everyone who came to see him during the two photo op sessions at the Jean-Marc Lalonde Arena in Rockland, during the Great North Wrestling’s Apocalypse evening wrestling show.
During an interview in the shared dressing room area, Haku reflected on his years as a professional wrestler and the continuing loyalty of his fans.
“It’s neat,” he said, “You know, with this new generation, and the social media. It’s nice to see.”
The former native of the Polynesian island kingdom of Tonga, got his start in professional sports as a sumo wrestler in 1974.
Four years later he joined the All Japan Pro Wrestling league and later the World Wrestling Federation, where he became one of its rising stars.
Haku igures his experience in sumo helped prepare him for the rigors of professional wrestling.
“I also played rugby when I was in high school, and cricket,” he said, with a smile. “I was good at rugby, but not at cricket.”
Haku is semi-retired now, and a grandfather of two with a third grandchild soon to arrive.
“Grandchildren change your life,” he said, smiling, before offering some words of wisdom for the next generation of his fans.
“Education comes first,” he said. “That was my goal with my kids. After that, whatever you feel like, whatever your dream is. And you have to have faith and the mental and physical strength to keep you going.”