Injuries present some of the greatest challenges an athlete can face, disrupting training, competition schedules, and overall performance. Beyond the physical pain, injuries bring significant mental hurdles, forcing athletes to reassess their goals while overcoming doubts and fears of re-injury. Yet, it is often through adversity that true character is revealed. Ramon Hernandez Jr. demonstrated remarkable perseverance and resilience following a devastating setback in March 2022, when he tore his right ACL during a small competition just days before an IJF Open event. The injury sidelined him for nearly ten months and tested both his physical and mental strength.

With the unwavering support of his family, we immediately sought out one of the top knee surgeons in the New Jersey/New York area and committed fully to the recovery process. Through discipline, patience, and determination, Ramon returned to regular training by December of that same year. His injury deeply affected our entire team, but his dedication and comeback became a powerful source of inspiration for everyone around him and a reminder that setbacks do not define an athlete; the response to them does.