Bay's star a taekwondo teen | Bay of Plenty Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Bay of Plenty

A lot of reputations will be taking a tumble in the next few years if young tae kwon do talent Tiarn Ririnui continues on the course he's set.

Fighting at the black belt nationals in late July, the Tauranga 14-year-old took down a national representative three years his senior to claim a New Zealand title and a spot in the national team.

A first-dan black belt, Ririnui's win in the 14-18 years under-59kg grade at Rotorua booked him a berth for December's Oceania championships. And at his previous tournament, the Han Lee Invitational, he was dishing out some major punishment - his opponent was carried from the mat, knocked cold by a Ririnui kick.

The Oceania titles in New Caledonia are now top priority, but the Tauranga Boys' College student has plenty to keep himself busy until then.

This week he's pursuing his other sporting passion, rugby, playing in the college's elite under-15 side at the secondary schools nationals in Christchurch. Despite going down 12-5 to Napier Boys', the side is still in the frame for a semis spot after previously beating Rotorua Boys' and Massey High.

An openside flanker, Ririnui's keenness for the game stretches back as far as his first involvement in tae kwon do, which he took up when he was 8.

He's been among top-level rugby selections since primary school, moving from Tai Mitchell competition into the Bay's 2006 Roller Mills team in 2006.

However, with a tae kwon do schedule including the TNZ nationals, also in Christchurch, on September 11; the Australian open in October; and the demands of rugby to boot, the multi-talented teen will soon face a tough choice.

"At the end of this year I'm going to have to decide what to focus on ... I really like rugby, but at the moment it's more tae kwon do."

Ririnui's interest in martial arts was sparked by something most of us will recognise: "I always liked watching the movies - Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee."

Having won every New Zealand title on offer through the grades, he showed the guts of a champion on debut in the 14-18 years division at the black belt nationals. Fighting 17-year-old Mark Tee of Auckland, a New Zealand team member for the 2010 WTF junior worlds earlier this year, Ririnui turned a points deficit into a national championship victory with a flurry of kicks and blows in the final seconds.

There's no doubting his staying power. With an intense schedule of rugby and tae kwon do training, Ririnui is fit enough to top 100 press-ups per minute and clock 14.1secs for the 100m.

The Australian open on October 21 will bring a taste of big-time international competition, with a crowd of up to 7000 expected at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. The quietly spoken youngster isn't fazed by the prospect of a throng of amped-up Aussies, though.

"It'll be a big rush, lots of adrenalin ... I get a bit nervous before bouts, but once I'm in there I'm sweet."

In a further step up, the Olympic weight division format for sparring at December's Oceania titles in New Caledonia will pit him against opponents up to 63kg.

Come January, a treat in both the cultural and training aspects of tae kwon do is in store, courtesy of a trip to South Korea with his instructor, Master Lee.

Drawing on his close ties with tae kwon do in South Korea, the Yong In academy founder has arranged a two-week training camp at Kyung-Gi, with the South Korea national junior coach and team.

It's all part of a master plan. Ririnui's move up to the international arena and the 10kg weight spans of Olympic grading put him in line with his long-term goal, the 2012 junior worlds in London.