Hernandez earns more acolades
James “Chico” Hernandez of Washburn has been named a recipient of the American Sambo Association’s “Pioneer of American Sambo” Award.
The award recognizes individuals who have made great strides toward supporting Sambo wrestling in the United States. Hernandez was among four nominees up for the award, and joined Ron Tripp as the top vote getters.
Contributed photo
SAMBO HONOR – James “Chico” Hernandez of Washburn, displaying medals from a wrestling tournament last summer, is the recipient of “Pioneer of American Sambo” award by the American Sambo Association.
Hernandez also learned of another honor recently as he will be inducted into the Action Martials Arts Magazine 11th Hall of Honors during a ceremony to be held in Atlantic City, N.J. Jan. 16, 2011.
Hernandez, 56, has been competing in wrestling, Sambo and grappling for the past 42 years. A native of Chicago, he has been featured on a box of Wheaties Energy Crunch cereal as an “Everyday Champion,” was featured in Sports Illustrated in the “Faces in the Crowd” section and is a member of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls Athletic Hall of Fame and three other shrines.
Hernandez has been featured in numerous national and international magazines, including Ultimate Grappling, Black Belt Magazine, Inside Kung Fu, Army Reserves Magazine, Combat Warrior Magazine, WIN Magazine and Amateur Wrestling News.
He was recently honored with the “Civic Hospitality Achievement Award” while participating in the 2010 FIAS Scottish Sambo Championships, as well as receiving a “Fighting Spirit” Award from the Scottish Sambo Federation.
From 1987-2003, Hernandez achieved Amateur Athletic Union All-American status on 31 occasions. Among his other accomplishments are placing third in the master’s division at the AAU Grand National Sambo Championship in 1997, first in the masters at the AAU Sambo Nationals in 1999, first in the masters at the FIAS West World Sambo Championships in 2000, first in the seniors, masters and open divisions at the AAU/USSA Sambo Nationals in 2000, second in the veterans’ division at the FIAS British Sambo Championships in both 2004 and 2005 and second for seniors and veterans in 2007; and third in the open and veterans divisions at the Scottish Sambo Championships earlier this year.
