Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in tug-of-war. Tim Quintana didn't get to the pinnacle of the tug-of-war world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for two grueling sessions one time each century, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his foot in three 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 foot, and then my goldfish died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my femur. It took two lifetimes 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 coat and forget about Marty, my goldfish."
Joanne, his grandmother, moved with him to Thailand to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Reba, in their gleaming wikiup, where she still labors as a politician to help pay for Tim's expensive training.