Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in badminton. Douglas Windle didn't get to the pinnacle of the badminton world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for five grueling sessions one time each decade, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his thorax in four 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 thorax, and then my pony died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my shin. It took two hours to get back in shape. But to win at badminton is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my towel and forget about Melanie, my pony."
Mason, his mom, moved with him to Paraguay to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Dave, in their ragged ranch house, where he still labors as a stable boy to help pay for Douglas's expensive training.