05/25/2026
SENSEI SAYS:
Sharing a picture of my Jujutsu/Judo Sensei, Daniel Hernandez.
Daniel Arturo Flores Hernández was born on May 12, 1926, at six o'clock in the evening, in Córdoba, Veracruz. There, at the age of seven or eight, he combined his childhood games with his first movements in judo and jiu-jitsu—techniques his father and grandfather had learned from Japanese immigrants they had hired to work on their coffee plantation.
These martial pastimes of his childhood came to an end when Daniel was taken to Mexico City to pursue his studies. One might assume that the games and lessons comprising his early instruction in self-defense and hand-to-hand combat would have been forgotten by the young boy; however, this was not the case.
Years later, Daniel F. Hernández enrolled in High School No. 1 of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). At the time, the school was housed within the historic Colegio de San Ildefonso—located in what is now the city's Historic Center—where the teenager began practicing Olympic wrestling. In this discipline, he recalled and applied various movements and holds he had learned in his native region; as a result, he began to excel in the sport and earned the nickname "El Luchador" (The Wrestler).
Shortly thereafter, he began competing and distinguishing himself in tournaments. This success led him to dedicate himself even more fully to the sport and brought him into contact with Brazilian and Cuban judo and jiu-jitsu instructors who had just begun sporadically teaching these Eastern disciplines. Then, in 1945—at the age of 19—an opportunity arose that would leave an indelible mark on his life and on the history of martial arts in Mexico. That year, he succeeded in acquiring a gymnasium located at 12 Bolívar Street—also within the city center—where he established what would become the very first official dojo on Mexican soil. Subsequently, this dojo relocated to 63 Belisario Domínguez Street—also located in the city center—where he dedicated himself entirely to this martial art. This dedication culminated in 1950, when he took his Black Belt examination under Sensei Arthur Futternick, before traveling to Cuba, where his 1st Dan rank was officially ratified.
Throughout his long career, he received his 3rd Dan from Sensei Masahiko Kimura; years later, he was awarded his 4th Dan by Sensei Tomoyoshi Yamaguchi. These achievements were among many notable feats, including the distinction of having been a student of Masahiko Kimura, the Japanese national champion for 13 years.
Sensei Daniel F. Hernández was also a pioneer of Mexican television. On February 14, 1951—barely six months after television broadcasting began in Mexico—he presented the very first martial arts demonstration aired via this marvelous medium. The event took place in the studios of Channel 4, which were then located on the 13th floor of the National Lottery building.
This event proved pivotal, as it marked the definitive mass popularization of Jujutsu/Judo—and subsequently other martial arts—in Mexico. It paved the way for the dissemination and increased awareness of Kendo in 1952, Kung Fu in 1958, Karate-Do in 1962, and Aikido in 1964, in addition to aiding in the introduction of *Lima Lama* during the 1970s.
This monumental work earned him the title of *Sosai*—a designation bestowed upon the initiator, or the first individual to set in motion a great undertaking—recognizing him, in this instance, as the true pioneer of martial arts in Mexico.
At the age of 85, Sosai Daniel F. Hernández passed away at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 6, 2011, in Mexico City.
His achievements include:
Being the first to establish a National Federation.
Being the first instructor to found a Jiu-Jitsu and Judo Association in Mexico.
Serving as the founder and president of the first Mexican Judo Federation. The first Mexican to establish two national sports federations.
President of the Mexican Judo Association.
President of the first College of Black Belts in Mexico.
Treasurer of the Pan American Judo Confederation, and subsequently its Vice President.
The first to organize district and national Judo championships.
To affiliate the national Judo body with the Pan American Union, and subsequently with the International Judo Federation.
To register Mexico for competitions held by the Pan American Judo Confederation and the International Judo Federation.
To manage—and, using his own resources, organize—the 4th Pan American Judo Championship in Mexico.
To organize the 6th World Judo Championship in 1969, alongside Mr. Roberto Kenny.
To found the “Estudios Hernández” chain, which eventually grew to include nearly 30 schools throughout Mexico.
In 1993, he was recognized with the rank of 8th Dan Red Belt by the Mexican Judo Federation and thereafter served as Director of the National Grading Commission.
To hold a rank certification issued by the World Judo Federation itself.
To be an inductee into the CODEME Hall of Fame.
To conduct training courses for police agencies, judicial bodies, paratroopers, and the Mexican Army.
He was the first President of the Mexican Ju-Jutsu Federation.
