Cnan swaps the courts for the charts
By Tatat Bunnag, photographs by Varuth Hiranyatheb
When you've been really good at something for, it's hard to think that you can also be great at something completely different. But 19-year-old Natthaporn Rungrangsi (Cnan) has proved that she can succeed at anything she wants.
Cnan is a rising star in Kamikaze Next, the group of 18 interns who will soon become the new generation of teen pop idols. But before joining Kamikaze, Cnan was already famous as a badminton player who won the Thailand championship for women's doubles in 2013.
Student Weekly recently caught up with Cnan to find out more about her experiences as an athlete.
Student Weekly: What's the meaning of your nickname, Cnan?
Cnan: My nickname used to be Nan. One day I watched a documentary about a shipping company in Algeria called CNAN. I liked the name so I began using it on social media. Most of my friends started to call me Cnan instead of Nan, so I've kept the name ever since.
Student Weekly: When did you first start playing badminton?
Cnan: I started playing when I was nine years old. I didn't care much about the sport, but I would follow my parents to the badminton court where they always played. I was bored, so my parents hired a coach to teach me to play.
Student Weekly: How did you become a national athlete?
Cnan: I wasn't serious about badminton until I turned twelve and my skills got a lot better. My parents thought I might have the potential to be an athlete, so they took me to play at a bigger badminton club. That led to me joining the SCG Badminton Academy which recruits and sends athletes to compete internationally.
Student Weekly: Did you have a lot of opportunities to compete outside Thailand?
Cnan: I've been to many places since I become a national athlete, especially Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. I won a silver medal at the ASEAN School Games in Vietnam and won the women's doubles events in Singapore and Thailand.
Student Weekly: Why did you decide to become a singer?
Cnan: I have a passion for both singing and athletics. I enjoyed my time playing sport and was very proud to be a Thai athlete who won medals and fame for my country. Now I have a great opportunity to fulfil my second dream, which is to be a singer. I'll do my best to achieve this dream too!
Student Weekly: What is the most important lesson you've learned from being an athlete?
Cnan: My experiences taught me a lot about patience and discipline, and gave me an opportunity to learn about working. I also learned how to work with other people.
Student Weekly: When can we expect your new single?
Cnan: Kamikaze is still talking about which music and style suits me. I've recorded some tunes in the studio, so I hope a song will be released soon.
Vocabulary
intern (n): a student or new graduate who is getting practical experience in a job
athlete (n): a person who competes in sports
doubles (n): a game in which one pair plays another
potential (n): qualities that exist and can be developed
recruit (v): to find new people to join a company or an organisation
passion (n): a very strong feeling of love, hatred, anger or enthusiasm
discipline (n): the ability to control your behaviour
