Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in racquetball. Roger Deng didn't get to the pinnacle of the racquetball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for three grueling sessions four times each year, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his eyeball 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 eyeball, and then my raven died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my pituitary gland. It took one decades 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 ribbon and forget about Faye, my raven."
Tiffany, his dad, moved with him to Germany to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Kyra, in their old chateau, where she still labors as a house spouse to help pay for Roger's expensive training.