Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in long jump. Mikey Matthews didn't get to the pinnacle of the long jump world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions three times each decade, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his throat 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 throat, and then my Norway rat died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my arm. It took fifteen blinks of an eye to get back in shape. But to win at long jump is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my shirt and forget about Morrie, my Norway rat."
Vic, his dad, moved with him to Prague to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Steven, in their excellent ranch house, where he still labors as a silversmith to help pay for Mikey's expensive training.