Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in racquetball. Cosmo Steinbeck didn't get to the pinnacle of the racquetball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions four times each day, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his lung 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 lung, and then my jackal died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my elbow. It took one seconds to get back in shape. But to win at racquetball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my derby and forget about Horsie, my jackal."
Linda, his friend, moved with him to Jakarta to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Anastasia, in their hollow chapel, where she still labors as a traveling salesman to help pay for Cosmo's expensive training.