The tennis star, who has been the butt of jokes on tennis web boards due to her chunky look, said she cut four kilos in six weeks by living only on vegetables and proteins.

But that was not part of her plan. Tamarine just did not have much choice of food during her tour of the US and found that she could rely only on salads and meat.

"They served only stuff like pasta and other carbs. So I ate only salads and meats for six weeks. I hardly had carbs. My digestive system worked just fine," said Tamarine, who tends to gain and lose weight in a kind of vicious cycle.

Tamarine insisted her recent weight loss has nothing to do with the fans' disparaging remarks during the Pattaya Open in February when she seemed out of shape. - The Nation.

A rose by any other name …

Only performance counts. A name change and elements of luck have nothing to do with competitions. But don't say this to Thai supporters of Chanpim Kantatian, the powerful weightlifter who had her first and family names changed.

Chanpim, the heir apparent to Athens Olympics gold medallist Udomporn Polsak, recently met a famous nun, who suggested she change her name to improve her fortune. In no time, Chanpim became Prapawadee Charoenrattanatharakul.

A few days ago, Prapawadee, a gold medallist at the World University Games last year, went to Taian in China for the Asian Championships. And to everyone's surprise she stunned the Asian Games gold medallist and hot favourite Li Ping of China to win the snatch gold in the women's 53kg event.

Do names play a role in determining success? Prapawadee doesn't think so. "I don't think I won the gold because I had my name changed. If so, I should have swept all three gold medals. I took the snatch gold because my body weight was less than the Chinese." - The Nation.

Never too old to learn

Promising striker Teeratep "Leesaw" Winothai will kick off life as a fresher in the Art faculty of Chulalongkorn University when the new term starts.

"I am happy about it but then I am not a good student," conceded the 22-year-old national player, who wants to be a professional footballer. "But my joy is nothing compared to my parents who are over the moon," he said.

Asked whether he would feel shy or embarrassed sitting with younger classmates, Leesaw said, "I don't think so but I wonder how many years I will take to graduate. That is tough to answer."

Leesaw has to think of the proverb, "it is never too old to learn" and lift himself up. - The Nation.

'Ball' is on a roll

There can be no happier man on the planet than tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan. The engagement between the Thai and the 2005 Miss Universe Natalie Glebova was the main news in the Kingdom on Tuesday.

The love story between the two is the only positive thing happening in the life of the 28-year-old, who has endured a rough time on court due to a nagging injury to his right wrist.

If the engagement to Glebova is a turn for the better in Paradorn's life, his tennis fortunes also seem to have changed. Despite being absent from the court for a long period, Paradon's world ranking has gone up six notches, leaving the Thai ace at 82.

The changes haven't gone unnoticed. Many wonder whether Paradorn will be on top of the rankings by year-end when he ties the knot with Glebova. Roger, be warned! - The Nation.