Team Dover Airman to represent US in world championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In ancient Japan, the samurai developed a special martial art that allowed them to fight their armed and armored opponents if they happened to become unarmed. This ancient art, known as Jujitsu, was passed down from generation to generation, until eventually it made its way around the world.

This art is now practiced by everyone, from the most venerable master to children as young as five years old. All across the world, the ancient secrets of the samurai are being taught to all, but some do not have the skill and dedication it takes to master the art.

However, one Airman on Dover Air Force Base not only has the dedication but the skill to represent the US in several world championships. That Airman is Airman 1st Class Geanny Hernandez Quiala of the 436th Aerial Port Squadron.

Airman Hernandez Quiala has been given the unique opportunity to represent the US in the Pan American Games, the Jujitsu World Cup and World Championship. He is also the first military member to ever be selected for the United States martial arts team.

"Airman Hernandez Quiala will definitely be missed here at APS," said Lt. Col. William Peterson, 436th APS commander. "He's an inspirational Airman and has an infectious work ethic that will be sorely missed here at APS."

Airman Hernandez Quiala was born in Cuba, and lived there for most of his life. He fled Cuba in 2005 with nine other refugees. After a long and harrowing journey, he made it to America to be with his wife, his childhood sweetheart who fled Cuba when she was 14.

"I feel very, very proud, to represent the Air Force and the United States as part of the US team," said Airman Hernandez Quiala. "I was known as the 'Air Force Guy' when I went to the qualifier; I wear my Air Force fitness gear when I train, so people know I am a member of the Air Force. It is an honor to be able to represent the Air Force and the U.S. in these upcoming championships."

Airman Hernandez Quiala began training in Jujitsu when he was seven, and has been training for 24 years and is now a 3rd degree black belt in Jujitsu - or 3rd Dan. Even at his current age of 31, his physical prowess is nothing short of amazing, said Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Walls, 436th APS ground terminal manager.

"The fact Airman Hernandez Quiala had a unique physical prowess was evident from the moment I met him," said Chief Walls. "He can go from a sit up all the way to standing without pushing off the ground with anything but his legs. When he does chin-ups, he lifts his entire body up over the bar and then goes all the way back down again. It's amazing to see."

It was no easy task for Airman Hernandez Quiala to become a member of the U.S. national team. First came regional and state competitions, where he placed top and qualified for the North-Eastern and Midwestern Championships. Placing in those, he qualified for the national competition and earned the gold medal there, winning him the coveted spot on the U.S. national team.

"It was very difficult to make the U.S. team, we have thousands of great athletes in the United States," said Airman Hernandez Quiala. "But just being the best in the U.S. isn't enough, I want to be the world champion, and place the United States as the best in the world. To me, that is the best way to show the world, that the U.S. and our military can be serious competitors in any sport ... that we have a respect for sport in the United States and are able to compete at high levels."

The training required for the upcoming tournaments require Airman Hernandez Quiala to travel to Miami and train in the dojo there. So he asked for permission to be allowed to travel and represent his nation in the championships.

"Airman Hernandez is not shy by any means," said Chief Walls. "He runs everything through his chain of command, and we were more than happy to get him what he needed in order to compete in this competition and represent not only the United States, but the Air Force as well. When he first arrived here, he asked if he could compete in one of the local Jujitsu competitions and he was told that he must complete his CDCs before he could enter. He completed in two months, what normally takes a year, and scored a 96 percent on his end of course exam, one of the highest scores this squadron has seen."

The competitive drive he has sown in his CDC completion is only a fraction of what he has shown in Jujitsu.

Airman Hernandez Quiala has several medals from his many competitions, some from his time as a competitor in Cuba. However, he said, for him, the greatest reward is being able to represent his country, the United States.

"I started as a child in Cuba, I competed there, then I came to America and I had to start over from the beginning," said Airman Hernandez Quiala. "To have made it all the way to the top to be a part of the U.S. team, it is amazing. I could not have done it without my wife believing in me, the U.S. Air Force for giving me the opportunity to represent the United States and my leadership, for helping me to train and supporting me in this endeavor."