Sivi Afi

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Sivi Afi (Born Max Taogaga April 28, 1949 in Samoa) is a former Samoan/New Zealand wrestler.

[edit] Wrestling career

Although originally born in Samoa, Siva Afi was raised in New Zealand where he began amateur wrestling at an early age. After deciding to turn pro Afi went to Steve Rickard and Peter Maivia who trained him for two years on the nuances of the professional game. In his first match Siva defeated one of New Zealand's top light heavyweights, Del Adams. With a combination of youth and enthusiasm, Siva quickly became one of the most popular wrestlers on the New Zealand circuit. For the next four years Siva continued to work his way up through the ranks, wrestling the majority of foreign visitors to the country. Finally in 1978 he earned his big break, defeating the widely respected Big John Da Silva in the final of an elimination tournament to decide the new New Zealand Heavyweight Champion. Over the next few months, Siva successfully defended the title before heading to the US at the end of the 1978 season.

For the next seven years Afi split his time between the US, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. However, it was in Hawaii that Siva would be the most successful. It was here, in 1985, where he wrestled Ric Flair to a one hour time limit draw for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in front of 12,000 people on arguably one of the best cards in Professional Wrestling history. In 1986, after impressing fans all over the world, Afi reached the pinnacle of the wrestling business, signing with Vince McMahon's WWF originally as Jimmy Snuka's Brother but the gimmick quickly drifted away. Siva wrestled consistently for two solid years, against the likes of Bret Hart, Randy Savage, Harley Race and Ted DiBiase. In 1988 after teaming for a short time with Haku as one half of the Islanders, Afi left the WWF. He then went on to work for Burt Reynolds as a stuntman and bodyguard.

Siva Afi made his much anticipated return to New Zealand in 1990 to appear for Steve Rickard's "The Main Event". Afi had bulked up considerably since his last visit to the country but he clearly hadn't lost a step in the ring. Siva defeated all comers during the short-lived show, becoming the new Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion in the process.

After the cancellation of "The Main Event", Siva resumed touring the world appearing in areas as far flung as Palestine, Jerusalem, England and Africa. In 1997, after over 23 years on the road, he retired from the business, wrestling his final match in South Africa.

[edit] Current life

Since retiring from Professional Wrestling, Siva Afi has converted to Christianity. He now lives in Marion, Ohio where he is studying to become a Minister. He has written two books, "Thus said the Lord to America" and "Dance with Fire", and is working on a third, an autobiography entitled "Ring of Fire". Siva hopes to eventually return to Samoa and continue to spread God's word.