Biography
Kofi Kingston – Ghanaian-American Professional Wrestler (2024)
Inside This Article:
Who is Kofi Kingston?
Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE under the ring name Kofi Kingston where he performs on the SmackDown brand. He is also a member of “The New Day” group with Big E and Xavier Woods. With multiple championships to his credit, he was ranked the 20th best wrestler by “Pro Wrestling Illustrated” in 2013. He has several signature moves that include a double backhand chop, flying forearm smash, and somersault plancha.
Passionate about wrestling from childhood, he gave up his corporate job to sign with WWE. His fans did not accept his group “New Day” with open arms, but soon its appearance on RAW became a highlight of the show. In fact, “New Day” became the longest-reigning tag team champion in WWE history.
| Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah |
| Profession | Wrestler |
| Birth Date | August 14, 1981 |
| Birth Place | Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana |
| Star Sign | Leo |
| Parents | Father: Kwasi Mother: Elizabeth Sarkodie-Mensah |
| Siblings | Kwame, Nana Akua |
| Wife | Kori Campfield |
| Son | Khi, Orion |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Ghanaian-American |
| Height | 6 feet (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 96 kg (211.5) lbs |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Who are Kingston’s parents and siblings?
Kingston was born on August 14, 1981, in Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana. Presently, he is 43 years old. He is a son to his father, Kwasi, and to his mother, Elizabeth Sarkodie-Mensah. He had a brother, Kwame, and a sister, Nana Akua. His zodiac sign is Leo.
What is Kofi Kingston’s nationality?
Kingston is American by nationality and is of the black race. He is of Ghanaian-American descent. Besides that, Kingston stands at a height of 6 feet (1.83 m) and weighs about 96 kg (211.5 lbs). Additionally, his hair color is black, and his eye color is dark brown.
What high school did Kingston graduate from?
Kingston, along with his family, moved to the United States. Eventually, he settled in the greater Boston area, where he graduated from Winchester High School in Winchester, Massachusetts. He received his degree in communication from Boston College. Ever since he was a child, he wanted to wrestle. Thus, he gave up his corporate job to follow his dream.
What was Kofi Kingston’s first match in WWE?
In 2006, Kingston made his wrestling debut where he faced Tony Omega on February 24 at Chaotic Wrestling. Next, he faced Evan Siks on June 4 for the “PWF Mayhem Heavyweight Championship.” He had a tryout at his wrestling school in Boston where some of the WWE producers were present and also liked his performance and got invited to Atlanta to wrestle in “Deep South Wrestling.”
Then, he signed a contract with WWE and was assigned to DSW in September 2006. His first match was against Montel Vontavious Porter on September 21. Later the following year, he was placed on the WWE roster and fought two matches against Charlie Haas and Trevor Murdoch. The same year in June at the “Florida Championship Wrestling,” he teamed up with Eric Perez against Keith Walker and Rycklon Stephens.
Kingston debuted at ECW and won against David Owen in Charlottesville on January 22, 2008. Mark Henry eliminated him at the “Wrestlemania XXXIV” pre-show. Eventually, he fought a match against Shelton Benjamin and was defeated. However, he won against him in “Extreme Rules.” He then defeated Chris Jericho for the “Intercontinental Championship” until “SummerSlam.”
Subsequently, He, along with CM Punk, won the “World Tag Team Championship.” Then, he defeated Chris Jericho and earned a spot in the “Money in the Bank ladder match” at WrestleMania XXV. In 2009, he won the “US Championship.” Meanwhile, he also qualified to wrestle for Team Raw at WWE Bragging Rights after defeating Evan Bourne. He then led his “Survivor Series” team to victory against Orton’s team.
What book did Kingston publish with his New Day members, and when was it released?
The following year, Kingston won a match by defeating the Big Show and advanced to the “WWE Championship Elimination Chamber” match in 2010. The same year, he also teamed up with Yoshi Tatsu and Evan Bourne and won against Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Ted DiBiase in a six-match tag team match.
Then he defeated Vladimir Kozlov to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania XXVI. Then he won Intercontinental Championship and also won “Intercontinental Championship.” The same year, he defeated Sheamus in a Tables Match and won his second “US Championship.” He continued his victory in many matches in further years. In 2012, he defeated Miz twice and won the “Intercontinental Championship.”
At “Extreme Rules,” he and Big E defeated Tyson Kidd and Cesaro to win the “WWE Tag Team Championship.” He entered the “Royal Rumble” match for “WWE World Heavyweight Championship,” but was eliminated by Chris Jericho. In 2016, he along with Xavier Woods and Big E became the longest-reigning “WWE Tag Team Championship” in the history of WWE.
He published “The Book of Booty: Shake It. Love It. Never Be It” along with his “New Day” members in 2017. The following year, at the “Royal Rumble,” he entered the match as the 16th entrant but was eliminated by Andrade “Cien” Almas. He was selected as a replacement for Mustafa Ali who was suffering from an injury for an episode of SmackDown Live in February 2019.
When did Kofi Kingston get married?
Kingston married Kori Campfield in 2010. The couple has two sons named Khi who was born in 2013 and Orion who was born in 2016. He has tattoos of Ghanaian Adinkra symbols along his spine.
How many times has Kofi Kingston won the WWE Intercontinental Championship?
Kingston won the “WWE Intercontinental Championship” four times and the “WWE US Championship” thrice. He has also earned the “WWE Raw Tag Team Championship” four times. He has also earned the prestigious “Slammy Award.”
What is Kofi Kingston’s estimated net worth?
Kingston is living a luxurious life with his family. He is a famous wrestler who has earned a lot of money and fame. He currently has about $3 million approximately.
