Rubén Hernández (fencer)

Rubén A. Hernández

Ruben A. Hernandez at the 1975 Panamerican Games in Mexico.
Personal information
Nationality	Puerto Rican
Born	(1954-04-21) 21 April 1954 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Sport
Country	Puerto Rico
Sport	Fencing
Team	Puerto Rico National Olympic Committee
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals	Montreal Summer Olympics 1976

Rubén Astor Hernández is a Puerto Rican fencer. He competed in the individual épée event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Early life and background

Rubén Astor Hernández Guzmán Jiménez Iglesias (born April 21, 1954, in Barrio Borinquen at the former Ramey Air Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican athlete known for his versatility and accomplishments in both fencing and long-distance cycling. Raised in Quebradillas, he is the son of Tomás Hernández Jiménez and Virginia Guzmán Iglesias, both originally from Quebradillas.

Throughout his career, Rubén represented Quebradillas and Puerto Rico in various national and international fencing competitions. He also pursued long-distance cycling, leaving a legacy in Puerto Rican sports.

Fencing career

In 1971, aged 17, Hernández won his first major title, winning the Gold Medal in foil at the First Puerto Rican Novice National Championship held in Quebradillas.

In 1976, Hernández participated in the Olympics in Montreal. Also in 1976, Hernández won a silver medal at the 1976 Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship.

Long-distance cycling

In addition to fencing, Hernández has pursued long-distance cycling. His cycling accomplishments include a 1200-mile ride from New York City to Orlando, Florida, in 1987, and a 1,545-mile ride around Puerto Rico in 1993, completing six laps around the island.

In 1995, Hernández became the first and only Puerto Rican to cycle 3,121 miles in 28 days from San Francisco, California, to New York City, averaging 111 miles per day. On his best day, he covered 180 miles, setting a personal record.

Endurance walks

Hernández also participated in endurance walking. From 1998 to 2002, he participated in the annual 23-mile walk from Ponce to Jayuya, reaching Puerto Rico's highest point, Cerro La Puntita.

In 2007, alongside his son Javier A. Hernández and with logistical support from his brother Néstor Luis Hernández, Rubén completed a 70-mile walk from El Morro in Old San Juan to the Guajataca Rest Area in Quebradillas over two days.

Accomplishments

Ruben A. Hernandez at the Montreal Olympics 1976

National & international competitions in fencing

National competitions in Puerto Rico

• 1971 - Gold Medal and Champion of the First Puerto Rico Novice National Championship (in Foil) held in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, undefeated in 16 bouts.
• 1974 - Bronze Medal in the Puerto Rico National Epee Championship, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• 1974 - Gold Medal and Epee Champion, R.J.M. Cup Tournament, San Juan, PR (El Vocero Newspaper, December 11, 1974).
• 1974 - Gold Medal and Puerto Rico University Individual Epee Champion, representing the University of Puerto Rico, held in Río Piedras, PR.
• 1975 - Gold Medal and Puerto Rico University Team Epee Champion, representing the University of Puerto Rico, held at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San Germán, PR.
• 1975 - Gold Medal and Puerto Rico National Epee Champion, San Juan, PR.
• 1975 - Silver Medal and Epee Runner-up, R.J.M. Cup Tournament, San Juan, PR.
• 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 - Silver Medal and Puerto Rico National Epee Runner-up, San Juan, PR.

International competitions

• VI Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia, July 1971: Member of the Puerto Rican National Team for the first time, in my first international competition, at the age of 17.
• III Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship, Mexico City, Mexico, August 1974: Bronze Medal in Team Epee.
• VII Pan American Games, Mexico City, Mexico, October 1975: Competed in Individual Epee, finishing 15th in the Western Hemisphere. In the team epee match between the United States and Puerto Rico, the U.S. won 9-7, but Hernández remained undefeated, beating all four U.S. team members and securing 4 of Puerto Rico's 7 victories. Two of the U.S. team members were Silver and Bronze Medalists in the individual epee event. The U.S. team eventually won the Gold Medal by defeating Cuba.
• V International Fencing Tournament La Reforma in Mexico City, Mexico, June 1976.
• XXI Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada, July 1976.
• IV Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship in Caracas, Venezuela, September-October 1976: Silver Medal in Individual Epee. This was the first Silver Medal in Puerto Rican fencing history, earned by a member of the Puerto Rico Fencing Federation (El Nuevo Día Newspaper, October 6, 1976).
• XXXIII World Fencing Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 1977.
• V Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship in Bogotá, Colombia, July 1977.
• I International Fencing Championship El Cemí in San Juan, PR, December 1977: Silver Medal in Team Epee.
• VIII Pan American Games in San Juan, PR, July 1979: Competed in Individual Epee, finishing 7th in the Western Hemisphere. Hernández lost 5-4 to Cuban fencer Víctor Suárez, preventing him from advancing to the final round.
• IX Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship in Quebradillas, PR, June 1983: Bronze Medal in Team Epee. Despite Cuba winning the Gold Medal, Puerto Rico defeated Cuba 9-7 in the preliminary stage for the first time in an international competition. Hernández remained undefeated, beating all four Cuban team members and securing 4 of Puerto Rico's 9 victories.
• Ramón Font International Competition in Cuba, June 1983.
• IX Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, August 1983.
• Ramón Font International Competition in Cuba, June 1987.
• X Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 1987.

Fencing summary

Rubén A. Hernández participated in:

• 1 Olympic Games (1976)

• 1 World Championship (1977)

• 5 Pan American Games (1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987)

• 4 Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championships (1974, 1976, 1977, 1983)

• 4 International Tournaments

• 2 Silver Medals and 2 Bronze Medals in International Competitions

• Only Puerto Rican fencer to defeat all four fencers from the U.S. and Cuban teams in Team Epee events during international competitions.

Honors & distinctions in fencing

• 1975 - University Letter of the University of Puerto Rico.

• 1975 - Most Improved Male Athlete of the Year in Puerto Rican Fencing.

• 1976 - Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year in Puerto Rican Fencing.

• 1977 - Honored Male Fencing Athlete at the Olympic Dinner by the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee.

Other athletic activities

Ruben A. Hernandez at the 1995 Puerto Rican Day Parade after biking across the USA

Long-Distance Cycling

• November 1987 - 1,200 miles in 10 days, from New York City to Orlando, Florida (120 miles/day).
• September 1990 - 170 miles in 1 day, from New York City to Amherst, Massachusetts.
• August 1991 - 180 miles in 2 days, from Amherst, MA to Boston, MA, and back (90 miles/day).
• October 1993 - 1,545 miles in 12 days, 6 laps around Puerto Rico (128 miles/day), sponsored by the Mayor of Quebradillas, Juan "Johnny" Rivera.
• May-June 1995 - 3,121 miles in 28 days, from San Francisco, California to New York City (111 miles/day). The first and only Puerto Rican to complete this route by bike. Best day: 180 miles (The San Juan Star, April 23, 1995, and June 10, 1995).
• September 1997 - 300 miles in 2 days, from New York City to Albany, NY, and back (150 miles/day).
• July 1998 - 2,100 miles in 20 days in Central Park, New York City (105 miles/day).
• July 2001 - 923 miles in 9 days, from New York City to Chicago, Illinois (102 miles/day).

Races

Empire State Building Run-Up: Organized by the New York Road Runners Club. This annual event involves running from the lobby to the top floor: 1,576 steps, 86 floors, and 1,050 feet.

• February 1994 - Time: 19 minutes, 36 seconds.
• February 1998 - Time: 22 minutes, 1 second.