Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in long jump. Hagit Nicholas 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 four times each decade, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, she broke her aorta in two places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my aorta, and then my mink died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my toupee. It took six weeks 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 bowler hat and forget about Alexei, my mink."
Sanjay, her grandma, moved with her to Caracas to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Pearl, in their fresh hut, where she still labors as a helicopter pilot to help pay for Hagit's expensive training.