Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in tug-of-war. Oona Giordano didn't get to the pinnacle of the tug-of-war world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions two times each second, followed by the usual homework for someone in fifth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her vein in two places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my vein, and then my coyote died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my thorax. It took two days to get back in shape. But to win at tug-of-war is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my hat and forget about Dorian, my coyote."
Cindy, her friend, moved with her to Hell to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Dean, in their papery housing project, where he still labors as a mail carrier to help pay for Oona's expensive training.