Second generation Tongan-American twins Steffanie and Ashley Manukainiu, have made a name for themselves in the world of Professional Wrestling in Vallejo, California.

Their local newspaper, Times Herald, reported the Manukainiu sisters were born to immigrant parents and were raised in Vallejo, California where they began an athletic career at a young age.

The twins also known as, Kaoz and Kona, are the first Tongan twin sisters in professional wrestling.

The twins were introduced to the sport by Ata Johnson, mother of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson whom they met at a Ffith Harmony concert. Ata Johnson expressed that there was only Samoan representation at the time and that they would be the first Tongans wrestling.

The twins took heed to Johnson’s advice and after receiving tremendous support from families and friends. They have since then, come up through KnokX Pro Entertainment wrestling academy and was trained by WWE Hall of Famer, Rikishi.

“Rikishi treated me and my sister as the men. We got it the hardest. That’s where we get a lot of our strength and the way we perform in the ring comes from. We were trained to be just as hard as the men,” Kona told the Times Herald.

However, before wrestling the twins shared a common interest in basketball and enrolled in the Vallejo Little League at the age of six. The twins later played for the Hogan High School and in the Amateur Athletic Union. Kaoz played the power forward and centre positions and Kona played centre. Their transition from that to professional wrestling was challenging for them. 

“Wrestling is different. It’s physical. It’s not like basketball. You could be the most athletic person but once you get in that ring, if you’re not physical, then it’s not for you,” said Kona.

With continuous training and development, the twins were noticed by Women of Wrestling (WOW) owned by the Los Angeles Lakers owner, Jeanie Buss.

“The WOW platform has fulfilled our dreams and our goals,” said Kaoz. “For us to change that lack of representation, that was our number one goal to be on a television platform. That’s something that I’m forever blessed to be a part of. We’re here to stay.”

The twins use their platform to represent, inspire and empower young polynesian girls and women.