Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in rock climbing. Luis Khatchaturian didn't get to the pinnacle of the rock climbing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions two times each year, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his kidney 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 kidney, and then my brine shrimp died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my pancreas. It took ten seconds to get back in shape. But to win at rock climbing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my space suit and forget about Deb, my brine shrimp."
Rosie, his fiancée, moved with him to Hong Kong to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Riley, in their archaic studio, where she still labors as a consultant to help pay for Luis's expensive training.