Charles J. Kalani Jr. (January 6, 1930 â€" August 22, 2000) was an
American professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football
player, soldier, actor, and martial artist who, in fighting rings, was
also known as Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply Professor Tanaka.Kalani
was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Charles J. Kalani and
Christina Leong Kalani. Charlie began studying judo in 1939. He
graduated from Iolani School in 1949. His wife, Doris Kalani, later
said that Kalani's time on the football team and Kenneth A. Bray's
influence with keeping him away from trouble.After graduating from
high school, Kalani attended Weber Junior College (now Weber State
University), where he met his wife in 1952. Together, they had three
children: Cheryle Kalani, Carl Kalani, Karen Kalani BeckIn 1955,
Kalani was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of
sergeant. Kalani left the military in 1966 and moved to Monterey,
California. He ran a Judo and Danzan-ryu Jujitsu academy with
Professor John Chow-Hoon. San Francisco promoter Roy Shire asked
Kalani to wrestle in 1967, launching his wrestling career.
American professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football
player, soldier, actor, and martial artist who, in fighting rings, was
also known as Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply Professor Tanaka.Kalani
was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Charles J. Kalani and
Christina Leong Kalani. Charlie began studying judo in 1939. He
graduated from Iolani School in 1949. His wife, Doris Kalani, later
said that Kalani's time on the football team and Kenneth A. Bray's
influence with keeping him away from trouble.After graduating from
high school, Kalani attended Weber Junior College (now Weber State
University), where he met his wife in 1952. Together, they had three
children: Cheryle Kalani, Carl Kalani, Karen Kalani BeckIn 1955,
Kalani was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of
sergeant. Kalani left the military in 1966 and moved to Monterey,
California. He ran a Judo and Danzan-ryu Jujitsu academy with
Professor John Chow-Hoon. San Francisco promoter Roy Shire asked
Kalani to wrestle in 1967, launching his wrestling career.
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