Kickboxing: Out of her shell

From a shy, introverted 10-year-old to a muay thai (kickboxing) champion prospect.

Now 14, Kiri Ratahi-Henry, has made tremendous inroads in this sport judging from the 219 hits on YouTube of her recent fight against Roezala Su'e in the Princesses of Pain tournament in Auckland.

It was the Tamatea High School pupil's third modified fight - her first victory - after only three novice bouts. Her two losses were against a 24-year-old and a 15-year-old.

Training at the Zero Tolerance gymnasium under the watchful eye of Nicole Kavanagh, a former New Zealand champion, Kiri aims to become a muay thai world champion.

Said father Tiopira Henry: "At the age of 10, Kiri came home one day and said she wanted to watch a particular kickboxing tournament. That came as a surprise to me as she was shy, sensitive and lacking in self-confidence.

"We went and we have not looked back. She wanted to participate. She attended the Kids' Class for 18 months and was then invited into the fighters' class by Dion Crouch, head trainer at Zero Tolerance."

The proud father said that as a novice class boxer, Kiri wore shin guards and fought with 16oz gloves.

"In that division you can't use knees to the head. As a fighter in the modified division, boxers use 10oz gloves, wear no shin pads and you can use your knees to the head of the opponent."

Kiri's aspirations for the future is to hold a New Zealand title and if given the chance, a muay thai world title.

She trains four days a week for an hour.

Apart from seeking success in muay thai, Kiri hopes to become a personal trainer.