At the age of 17 Emmanuel Smith-Joynes is already a self-taught computer programmer, an entrepreneur, video game enthusiast and an athlete.

When Emmanuel first got to use the internet at the age of 11, rather than spending all of his time instant messaging, he decided to use it more wisely teaching himself how to build a computer.

By the time he was 12-years-old his computer was built.

After mastering the hardware aspect of computing, he then proceeded with the next logical step software engineering and programming.

"I also taught myself how to programme," said Emmanuel. "I eventually got a software engineering internship with Gateway. Before the internship I knew that I was interested in software engineering but it wasn't until I worked there that I realised how much fun it can be. The internship made me realise that software engineering is what I want to study at university.

"Programming can be extremely frustrating but it is a creative challenge and the sense of achievement you get when it is all working properly is what makes it worth it."

He added: "I also enjoy the creativity of programming because no two pieces of code are the same. You could have two codes that do the exact same thing but are written completely different.

"The mathematical aspect also appeals to me, math has always been my favourite subject."

Now, six years after he first taught himself to build computers, Emmanuel has diversified his talents and created his own business.

His website at axiomgaming.net, works as the headquarters for the many computer and video game-related services that he and his partner Alex Thompson provide.

Alex and Emmanuel are school friends who share a love of gaming and technology. They work together to operate the website, deliver podcasts and complete orders.

Every Monday they release an audio podcast called Tech Talk. The podcasts cover technology related news and information, video game and product reviews and previews as well as everything in between.

"The last podcast that we did focused on mobile phones and operating systems. It is available on our website and also through iTunes by searching for axiom gaming," he said.

On top of the video game tournaments, podcasts and videos that are run through axiomgaming.net, Emmanuel uses the site to take orders for custom-built computers and laptops, video game console repairs and modifications as well as website design.

"We can build a computer for anyone's budget. You just let us know what the budget is and we will build the best machine we can within your price range.

While it can be expensive to send video game consoles like an Xbox or a Playstation 3 away to be fixed when they malfunction, Emmanuel's repair service will fix them for a fraction of the price.

"Both mine and Alex's Xboxes broke down a while back," he said. "I went online and read about how to fix them and realised 'hey we can do this' and that is how it all started."

In addition to his technical and scholastic talents Emmanuel is also a gifted athlete.

Although he has only been running for three years he still managed to place second in the under-20 division of the May 24 Half-Marathon Derby last May.

In his first attempt at the annual road race Emmanuel finished the grueling 13 mile course with a time of one hour 28 minutes and 52 seconds.

"It is the adrenaline rush I enjoy," he said. "I like to just go out there and run."

And when he is not training for running the multi-talented Southampton resident practices archery and parkour.

Parkour, often called free-running, is a physical discipline developed in France for firefighters in which participants run along a route attempting to navigate their environment in the most efficient and fast way possible. The activity is becoming more and more popular around the world and has gained a large internet following.

Emmanuel says that he has taught himself several moves by studying videos online.

"At this point I can do back and front flips as well as vault up walls," he said.

Now in his second year at the Bermuda High School's IB programme, Emmanuel plans to start a business with his friends when he is finished with school.

"I would like to set up a store where you can come in and play video games and use the internet as well as providing professional services like website design and computer repair," he said.

"I have a friend who is into robotics, another friend who is great with photoshop and another who is planning to be an accountant," he said.

"I figure that once we all graduate we would be in a pretty good position to put a business like that together."