Douglas Hernández Sánchez

Douglas Hernández was the first Cuban to begin the path of mastering ball control on the island.

In 1997 he officially set a world record by achieving 100,026 touches of the ball in a span of 15 hours.

He is the director of the Cuban School of Ball Mastery. Coach of his brother Erick Hernández and Yeniseidis Soto.

Almost forty years ago, ball mastery in Cuba began to take its first steps. By 1980, the mythical grounds of La Polar hosted a competition in which they sought the man who could give the most touches to the sphere without it falling to the ground.

At that moment, a 16-year-old boy struck the ball 3,998 times and established a national record. Thus began Douglas Hernández's path in this discipline. Over time, what is known today as the Cuban School of Ball Mastery emerged.

A series of records paved the way. In 1994 one of the most outstanding results occurred: Douglas set a Guinness record at Marina Hemingway, giving the ball 22,217 touches in 3 hours and 40 minutes, a mark he shattered at Ciudad Deportiva, with 100,026 contacts and over 15 hours.