Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in Chinese checkers. Paco Fields didn't get to the pinnacle of the Chinese checkers world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for one grueling session four times each hour, followed by the usual homework for someone in tenth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his head 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 head, and then my giraffe died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my chin. It took one days to get back in shape. But to win at Chinese checkers is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of moon boots and forget about Maria, my giraffe."
Michaelangelo, his mentor, moved with him to Tijuana to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Helga, in their odd treehouse, where she still labors as a manicurist to help pay for Paco's expensive training.