Japan's Olympic figure skating champion Shizuka Arakawa has completed a drastic career switch after making her debut as a catwalk model. Arakawa, who hung up her skates after winning gold in Turin this year, swapped sequins for racy French fashions as she strutted her stuff at a Tokyo show on Tuesday. "Today was more nerve-wracking than the Olympics," the 24-year-old told reporters. "To actually be part of this show is like a dream."

Tennis

The men's and women's singles champions at this year's US Open will pocket at least $1.2 million, the US Tennis Association said. Total prize money for the year's final grand slam will be $18.5 million with the potential to exceed $21.1 million. The singles winners' cheques represent a 6.7 per cent increase in prize money from the record payout in 2005. Wimbledon remains the only grand slam not to pay men and women equally.

Rugby

South Africa have made five changes to the side routed by Australia last week for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash against New Zealand at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. Coach Jake White has opted to change the Boks' halves combination after the record 49-0 drubbing at the hands of the Wallabies in Brisbane last weekend.

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