Staff Writer
WINSLOW – James Chico Hernandez wrestled over the weekend for a silver medal at the 12th annual Maine Skirmish Submission Fighting/Grappling Tournament. Weighing in at 190 pounds, the Washburn resident placed second in the advanced/expert men’s open middle weight division.
Hernandez also challenged himself by moving up to the heavyweight division where he hooked fourth-place in the senior class for men 35 and over. Hernandez, at 53 years, lost in overtime to the heavyweight champion by the judges’ decision, 3-0.
“It is pretty cool for me at my age to still hang in there with the best,” said Hernandez about his performance. “I should have won this tournament, but for me to fight black and brown belts in Brazilian ju-jitsu with no belt in this particular discipline and do well was an accomplishment.” Hernandez began training in this division of martial arts in 2003.
He currently trains with Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor Marcus ‘The Irish Hand Grenade’ Davis and the rest of Team Irish.
Hernandez’s many accomplishments include varying degrees of black belts in sombo, wrestling, ju-jitsu, judo, submission fighting, military combat sombo and hybrid wrestling. In 2001, Hernandez was featured on a box of Wheaties as the first sombo/wrestler/martial artist to promote the cereal.
In the Maine Championships since 2003, Hernandez captured two golds, three silvers, and a fourth-place medal. He also competed last March in the British Sombo Championships to win a silver and bronze medal.
Contributed photo
GRAPPLING FOR A GOOD HOLD, 53-year-old James Chico Hernandez skirmishes for a victory in this past weekends 12th annual Maine Skirmish Submission/Grappling Tournament in Winslow.
