Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in Chinese checkers. Jesus Chopra didn't get to the pinnacle of the Chinese checkers world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for two grueling sessions one time each fortnight, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his eyebrow 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 eyebrow, and then my parrot died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my knee. It took ten centuries to get back in shape. But to win at Chinese checkers is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my cap and forget about Lorna, my parrot."
Christian, his mother, moved with him to Angola to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Owen, in their handy parsonage, where he still labors as a sword swallower to help pay for Jesus's expensive training.