Early Life and Education of Kofi Kingston: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 20, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Kofi Kingston. A timeline of key moments.

Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah, known as Kofi Kingston, is a Ghanaian-American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. He performs on the Raw brand as Kofi Kingston and is a member of the popular tag team, The New Day. Kingston is known for his high-flying wrestling style and charismatic personality. He has achieved considerable success in WWE, winning multiple championships, including the WWE Championship, Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, and multiple Tag Team Championships.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

August 14, 1981: Kofi Kingston Born

On August 14, 1981, Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah, later known as Kofi Kingston, was born in Ghana.

Others born on this day/year

2005: Starts Wrestling Training

In late 2005, Sarkodie-Mensah started training in professional wrestling.

2006: Official Wrestling Debut

In 2006, Sarkodie-Mensah made his official wrestling debut for Chaotic Wrestling, facing Evan Siks for the PWF Mayhem Heavyweight Championship on June 4 in a losing effort.

October 19, 2009: Drops Jamaican Character

On October 19, 2009, Kofi Kingston dropped his Jamaican character on Raw and began being billed from Ghana.

2009: Drops Jamaican Character

In late 2009, Kofi Kingston stopped being billed from Jamaica, dropped the accent, and began being billed from Ghana.

September 11, 2010: Marriage to Kori Campfield

On September 11, 2010, Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah married Kori Campfield.

April 11, 2017: Move to SmackDown brand

On April 11, 2017, The New Day were moved to the SmackDown brand as part of the Superstar Shake-up.

June 2019: Favorite Opponent

In a June 2019 interview, Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah stated that Dolph Ziggler was one of his favorite opponents of all-time.

April 2020: Became a Vegan

In an April 2020 interview with Muscle & Fitness, Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah announced that he had become a vegan.

2020: SmackDown Tag Team Championship Win and Brand Draft

In 2020, specifically on the October 9 episode of SmackDown, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods won their seventh SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Later that year, as part of the 2020 Draft, they were drafted to the Raw brand, separating them from Big E.

2021: Drafted to SmackDown, King of the Ring Tournament, and NXT Tag Team Championship Win

In 2021, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were drafted to SmackDown. In October, Kingston participated in the King of the Ring tournament but lost in the first round. Later in December, The New Day won the NXT Tag Team Championship, making Kingston the first wrestler to have won both WWE's traditional Triple Crown and Tag Team Triple Crown.

December 2, 2024: Big E Reunion and Heel Turn

On December 2, 2024, during The New Day's 10-year anniversary on Raw, Big E returned for an in-ring reunion. However, after disagreements, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods lashed out at Big E, kicking him out of the stable and turning heel.