SITTINGBOURNE, England - James Chico Hernandez, 53, of Washburn, Maine, won the silver and bronze medals at the 2007 British Sambo Championship held March 24 at the Swallow Leisure Center here.

"I thought before when I went over there that I was going to have a hard time making 90KG in the Open, and they group everybody in the Vets," he said. "Competing in the Vets is not as easy as people would think it is."

Hernandez competed in the open class (no weight class) and defeated Oktam of Uzbekistan, 1-0, in the quarterfinals. He then defeated returning silver medalist Graham Mann of Norfolk, England, in the semi-finals. Hernandez was leading, 8-0, before he slammed his opponent to his back while remaining standing for Total Victory.

Chico was defeated by World Sambo Medalist and World Cornish Wrestling champion Darren Richardson, Portsmouth, England, 2-0, in the finals. Hernandez also won a bronze medal in the Open Division.

"You are fighting either professional instructors or seasoned fighters who are no rookies at this," said Hernandez. "Just because someone is older than 30 or competes in the Masters/Vets does not make winning the division a piece of cake. There are very few cupcakes in competitions like these."

COMBAT WARRIOR E-MAGAZINE July 2007 / CombatWarriorMag.com