Handball: 'The Tractor' plows through Beijing

(BEIJING, August 6) -- Denmark's 101kg-center back Joachim Rietveld Boldsen, known to fans as "The Tractor", is trying to improve his health before the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in order to help his Handball team to a podium finish.

He says he smoked his last cigarette a few months ago but will still indulge in a bowl of ice cream every now and then.

"I was a little overweight," Boldsen said. "Better shape was the only option."

Since he has started his healthier lifestyle, he claims to feel better on the Handball court. Aside from eating more nutritious food, he has undertaken a strong running regimen to improve his endurance.

"It started two months ago to get me ready for the Olympics," he said. "My program is running, running, running, running, running - kind of boring, right?"

Boldsen said stopping smoking is helping as well.

"I feel better," he said. "But the main reason is that in Denmark you are not allowed to smoke (in many public places)."

Before he decided to change his ways, Boldsen played for German club team THW Kiel, where his size and hard-nosed style of play earned him the nickname "The Tractor."

"I played a more aggressive and not-so-nice Handball (in Germany)," he said.

With his new and improved way of life, Boldsen is anchoring the Danish team in its bid for Olympic Gold. The Danish men have never brought home a Gold medal, but are hopeful that this is the year.

"The chances are good," he said. "There are six or seven good teams and we are among the six or seven."