# Rubén Hernández (fencer)

Rubén Astor Hernández Guzmán Jiménez Iglesias (born April 21, 1954) is a Puerto Rican fencer who competed in the individual épée event at the XXI Olympic Games.

## Early life and background

Hernández was born on April 21, 1954, at the former Ramey Air Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to Tomás Hernández Jiménez and Virginia Guzmán Iglesias. He was raised in Quebradillas.

## Fencing career

In 1971, at 17, Hernández won the gold medal in foil at the first Puerto Rican Novice National Championship held in Quebradillas.
In 1976, Hernández participated in the XXI Olympic Games. He also won a silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship that year.

## Long-distance cycling

In addition to fencing, Hernández has participated in long-distance cycling. He completed 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 cycled 3,121 miles in 28 days from San Francisco to New York City, with an average of 111 miles per day. His longest ride in a single day was 180 miles.

## Endurance walks

Hernández has 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
### 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. Hernández won all 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.
* 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, finished 15th. In the team epee match between the United States and Puerto Rico, the U.S. won 9-7; Hernández won all four bouts against the U.S. team.
* 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.
* XXXIII World Fencing Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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.
* IX Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship in Quebradillas, PR, June 1983: Bronze Medal in Team Epee. Puerto Rico defeated Cuba 9-7 in the preliminary stage; Hernández won all four bouts against the Cuban team.
* 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.

## Honors & distinctions in fencing

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

## Other athletic activities
### Long distance cycling

* November 1987 - 1,200 miles in 10 days, from New York City to Orlando, Florida (120 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). Best day: 180 miles (The San Juan Star, April 23, 1995, and June 10, 1995).
* 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.