When you step into the chaotic, high-octane world of Second Life (SL) combat sports, there will be lots of names you hear rumbling around. One of them is: Tani Rinkan. Equal parts technician and storyteller, Tani has carved out a place in both boxing and wrestling in SL, with a reputation as fierce, fun and caring as she is.
We caught up with her on the opening of Sweet and Spice Academy after her win to learn what drives her, who inspires her, and how she stumbled into a virtual world of bruises, brilliance, and body slams.
From Storylines to Body Slams
Tani’s motivations for diving into SL wrestling and boxing are as multifaceted as the fellow wrestlers and boxers she spars with. In her words when she heard Wrestling was active in SL: “Wrestling? It was the stories. Hard hitting action, drama, and a chance to mouth off publicly? Sign me up!” she says, laughing. It’s the theatricality that hooked her plus the storylines with heat, adrenaline, and character.
Boxing, on the other hand, is where her inner tactician thrives. “I’ve always loved combat sports,” Tani explains. “The science of pressure, defense and the art of ‘to hit and not get hit.’ It’s a puzzle. And I love puzzles.”
Her foray into wrestling started with a bit of foley and some good friends. “I was scrolling through YouTube and saw a livestream. My friend Alex Calhira was doing commentary,” she recalls. One question led to another, and before she knew it, she had an application in and boots on the mat.
Boxing came with less clarity, but no less enthusiasm. While exploring Chaos Catfight Carnival, she overheard what sounded like a fight. “I checked the cam and saw this gym setup,” she says. That curiosity led her to Cassie Nova-Reese, who introduced her to the space. From there, she began training under Remington Nova-Reese and connecting with a whole crew of fierce, like-minded women.
Talking outside of SL, when it comes to real-world inspiration, Tani doesn’t hesitate:
“Bayley. 100%.” she says. “She’s a workhorse. A cocky brat. But she sells everything—on mic and in the ring.” The energy and commitment Bayley brings resonate deeply with Tani’s own performance ethos.
And in the ring? It’s all about Canelo Alvarez. “The way he commands the ring despite his size? It’s masterful. His inside fighting, his control. He’s a beast.”
A word of advice
If you’re thinking about stepping into the ring, virtual or otherwise, Tani has one key piece of advice:
“Ask all the questions. Try all the things. You won’t know your style until you’re doing it,” she insists. Whether you’re a high-flyer or brawler in wrestling, an outboxer or counterpuncher in boxing. “Once you find it, hone in on it.”
Where to Find Tani
Tani is everywhere. Literally.
You can find her on BlueSky mostly.
In-world, she’s bouncing between a variety of promotions and fight scenes:
Kadath Boxing Club (KBC) with Fightality
GForce HUD and SSA
Limitless Pro Wrestling (LPW): Thursdays @ 4PM SLT, Sundays @ 1PM SLT
Honor Pro Wrestling (HPW): Sundays @ 5PM SLT, Tuesdays @ 6PM SLT
Tani left us with one final note, and it might just be the most important one:
“No matter what you’re doing—boxing, wrestling, DJing, dancing—do it because you ENJOY IT. You matter. Don’t push yourself to the bottom of your own list. And if you’re not having fun anymore? That’s okay too. It’s okay to shift gears. Let this be something you enjoy. <3”
｡:•. ☽ come down the rabbit hole ☾ .•:｡
MiwaBunny 