Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in racquetball. Paco Tuckerman didn't get to the pinnacle of the racquetball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for five grueling sessions two times each hour, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his toenail in two places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my toenail, and then my rattlesnake died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my pancreas. It took three weeks to get back in shape. But to win at racquetball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of boxing gloves and forget about Harriet, my rattlesnake."
Constance, his mommy, moved with him to Japan to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Morgan, in their waxy penthouse, where he still labors as an ecologist to help pay for Paco's expensive training.