Canary Islands Bodybuilding Legend José Antonio "Jocha" Hernández Dies at 60
Renowned Canary Islands bodybuilder and boxing champion José Antonio "Jocha" Hernández Torres has passed away at the age of 64, leaving behind a celebrated four-decade legacy in international fitness and his local community.
The Canary Islands sports community is mourning the loss of José Antonio Hernández Torres, a veteran athlete widely known in the bodybuilding world as "Jocha." The La Verdellada Neighborhood Association announced his passing, noting that his death leaves a significant void in regional sports after a career that spanned more than 40 years.
Hernández Torres was a prominent figure in the national fitness and boxing scenes. His impressive list of achievements includes six national bodybuilding titles, an overall victory at the Netherlands championships, and success at the 2004 Mr. Universe competition. His athletic versatility also led him to win a Spanish boxing championship, proving his talent went well beyond his primary discipline.
Beyond his competitive success, he was a key figure in his local community as the owner of Fitness Jocha Gym. His dedication to promoting physical activity earned him recognition from local leaders, including the mayor of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, who publicly expressed his condolences and praised the athlete’s lasting legacy.
His passing has been met with widespread sadness. Both the Spanish Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IFBB Spain) and the La Verdellada-Barrio Nuevo neighborhood association have shared tributes, honoring his international reputation and the impact he had on his home neighborhood. Hernández Torres will be remembered as an athlete whose decades of hard work raised the bar for his sport and inspired future generations.