Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in tiddlywinks. Alexander Stewart didn't get to the pinnacle of the tiddlywinks world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions two times each lifetime, followed by the usual homework for someone in twelfth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his vein in four 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 vein, and then my lemur died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my eyelid. It took twelve decades to get back in shape. But to win at tiddlywinks is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of overalls and forget about Virginia, my lemur."
Nicki, his grandma, moved with him to Afghanistan to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Candy, in their fuzzy crypt, where she still labors as a quilter to help pay for Alexander's expensive training.