Hide Article Text (OCR)
Hernandez/exampleBy SCOTT MERKJN Juan Hernandez walks into combat about once a week to the cheers of the crowd The approval of the fans motivates hm in his battles against the forces of evil from all over the world Iran. Russia and the Sudan -all countries that have sent their best athletes to oppose Hernandez But they are all countries that have gone down to defeat to this great grappler.No. Juan is not a member of a branch of the Armed Forces The 23 vear old Beecher native is ai'. wibjjji ---- w m ■ ^ ~professional wrestler for Championship International Professional Wrestling But Hernandez s story goes far beyond his career in the ringHe is a co-owner of the organization for which he wrestles Hewrestling sets strongfor youthful supportersft*model I am trying to be It would destroy everything I have worked for over the past seven years Besides the work he has done for kids in the past years. Juan has done quite a good job for himself It all started for him at the age of 12 when he saw a Karate demonstration at his school and checked out the program From that point on. he was determined to be a success in the sportThere was a lot of training and dedication involved. Hernandez said “I worked out five nights per week and travelled the other two to become known The more tournaments you won. the more points you earned on the circuit And that's how you develop into a National champ*It was not immediate Karate/more I don’t want to be like those boxers, like Larry Holmes You leave on top. but you comeback and look far less then great Why destroy that reputation’“I have been tempted. he added “When guys tel! me I dn’t have it anymore. I want to compete I know I can do it. but I think it's the worst thing I could doJuan took two years off in a state of semi-retirement but found he needed to find a new activity. And he found that new career choice when he met a special athlete at a Muscular Dystrophy benefitThe athlete he met was Hulk Hogan, and he embarked on his Wrestling career “We discussed thin^ about a wrestling career and agreed itdraw a lot of the local fans out. he added ‘They still see a lot of the big names without the expense And there are plenty of big names and plenty of characters in this group They range from the 500 pound maniac from Sudan known as Abdullah the Butcher to former WWF star Corporal Kirsh-ner to one of the more interesting characters around. Ox Baker (from the movie. “Escape from New York).“Hes a character.’ Hernandez said of Baker “He’s in total control of a crowd and not afraid to voice his opinions, no matter what the topic. He’s hard to describe-you have to see him in person to believe him.Of course, the standard question of is wrestling fake was put toA fighting heroJuan Hernandez of Steger has been a winner in whatever sport he's been inotved Whether it be in the Wrestling ring (left, white boots) or as a five time Karate champ (above, dark pants), he has beaten the odds and the opponents and shot straight to the top.is a former five time. National Karate champion And he has won the ultimate battle— over drugs as a youngster Hernandez has become a champion in all areas of life“I was hooked on drugs and I used to do things like stealing cars It was a very tough period. Hernandez said of a penod of his life from 12 to 15 years of age “One day, I just said it was enoughand just quit, cold turkey I haven't touched any drugs in overeight years“I want other kids to know there are alternatives, he added “I train kids in Karate and won’t even charge them sometimes It’s just to keep them off the streets I’m very involved in the “Say No to Drugs campaign And I think my wrestling can help me spread that messageIn the ring, Hernandez is known as “Mr Karate He teams up with a grappler known as “The Commando” to chase after the tag-team champions, a mean-spirited group of Amenca-hating despits known as “The Russian CossacksHe is considered one of the good guys in the ring, and that’s the only way Hernandez will have it“I like being a fan favorite. Hernandez said “There are too many kids that look up to me in the crowd for me to change styles It would destroy the type of rolestardom for Hernandez During the first couple years of competition. he struggled on the mat Then, he had to fight through the pressure of being a young champion (age 15) against fighters in their 30's But Juan weathered all the storms to win over 470 tournaments and hold the National title until the 1986-87 season “There was always a lot of pressure. Hernandez said. “I went for a whole year without winning It bothered me because I knew the talent was there Then, when the winning started. I would go up against these guys with the beards and big muscles It was a big challengeThere was one man Hernandez remembers as especially intimidating, a man called “Scorpion “He was the first guy that scared me. Hernandez said. “He was a black belt and the old pro He was the man to beat I couldn’t do it the first time we met. but we traded decisions from then on.” The wins over “Scorpion. the travelling and the work and the five titles were finally enough for Hernandez He retired from Karate at age 20 and was determined to never comeback He went out as a champion and that's how he wanted to be remembered When I retired, that was it, Hernandez sa.d *1 came out for the Olympic tnaa but nothingwas something I should pursue, Hernandez said Hulk’s a real nice guy He's down to earth and believes in what he does He’s a very strong role model for all of his young fans to follow.Hernandez joined with promoter Brad Davis to bring this independent group of grapplers together It serves as a great fundraiser for the organiations thatbring the matches to their gymnasiums or auditoriums There is a fixed cost for all of the intangibles ranging from wrestlers to the ring to the ring announcer Any money made over that fixed cost is profit for that organization Juan's Championship International group has wrestled in front of as many as 5,000 fans in Danville to as few as a 1.500 sold-out crowd in Beecher They may not be multi-million dollar cards like the WWF s Wres-tlemania V taking place today in Atlantic City But they usually fill about 90 percent of the arena and give the fans an alternative to the big Wrestling Federations “My whole idea was for fans to see this sport at a cheaper price, Hernandez said of his organization. “When you go to the Rose-mont Horizon, tickets are 814 and you have to figure in parking and dinner It runs you about $100 for a family’s night out.“We stick to the local towns andJuan, but he only chose to say, “It’s great entertainment decided m the ring. He chose instead to talk about the strong allure of wrestling to the fans.“They identify with a lot of the guys in the ring. Hernandez said “They can root for their favorites and go against the guys they don’t like. They can scream and yelland get their anxieties out. Youalmost always leave feeling better“I have a challenge to anyone who doesn't approve of this sport. he added “They come to one of our cards and if they don’t have a good time, they can have their money back and more. You just can’t help but getting caught up in the excitement.Juan's wrestling group is growing rapidly and may be headed to a television near you in the future And Hernandez continues his Karate through his teaching of younger studentsBut it's no surprise at Juan's success. Hernandez is a fighter and has done well to achieve all his goals that he has set out for himself“I have learned that you have to work for what you want,” he concluded. “Nothing is unattainable unless you want it to be.
Newspaper Details
Homewood Star
Homewood, Illinois, US
Sun, Apr 02, 1989
Page 51
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
TN, USA 19 Jun 2019
Other Publications Near Homewood, Illinois
The Homewood News
Homewood Daily Southtown News Marketer
Homewood Star
Homewood Flossmoor Star
