The Cuban Erick Hernández set a new world record for ball control this Saturday, keeping it in the air for 10 hours, 13 minutes, three seconds, and 88 hundredths, using only his feet and head, without resting on his thighs.
The feat took place at the Hotel Copacabana, on the coast of Havana, where the former football player and graduate in Physical Culture surpassed his previous record of 10 hours, which he had achieved earlier in the same venue.
“Returning to this type of challenge brings feelings of pride for the career accomplished,” declared the athlete to the Cuban News Agency (ACN) after completing the challenge, which he described as particularly emotional as it involved the same event with which he began his record history in 1996.
Known as “The Dominator”, Hernández recounted that at times he was close to losing control of the ball, but he managed to regain his composure thanks to his physical preparation and concentration. He explained that for this test, he trained intensely his quadriceps, hamstrings, lower back, and dorsal area, key regions to withstand the duration and complexity of the routine.
At the age of 58, the athlete maintains an unstoppable career. In 2024, he set five world records, including one where he controlled the ball with his head while seated for one hour and 15 seconds, with three-kilogram weights on his ankles.
That same year, during the Marabana race, he completed 10 kilometers keeping the ball in the air, a combination of endurance and precision that also defined his demanding sports agenda.
In October, he recorded 13,985 touches in one hour using various parts of his body, surpassing the previous record set by the Mexican Abraham Muñoz and ensuring the technical support necessary for official validation. This achievement strengthened his reputation as a global reference in ball control.
In April of that same year, he had broken a Guinness record byspending more than 12 hours striking the ball solely with his feet, surpassing the previous record held by Iranian Saeid Momivand.
Hernández has set more than 30 world records, in events that include control with thighs, knees, head, and feet, as well as during sprint and marathon races. His name has been listed in the Guinness World Records since 2005, when he touched the ball 319 times in one minute using only his head.
For the upcoming months, he is planning a new official attempt: to master tennis balls with his thighs, a variant that will further increase the complexity of his trials.
Frequently Asked Questions about Erick Hernández's World Records in Ball Control
What world record did Erick Hernández recently set?
Erick Hernández set a new world record for ball control by keeping it in the air for 10 hours, 13 minutes, three seconds, and 88 hundredths, using only his feet and head, without relying on his thighs.
How many world records has Erick Hernández achieved throughout his career?
Erick Hernández has set more than 30 world records in his career, including feats of strength with different parts of his body and during sprint and marathon races.
What physical training does Erick Hernández undertake to achieve his ball control records?
For his records, Erick Hernández trains the key areas of his body intensely, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, lower back, and lats, to endure the duration and complexity of the challenges.
What other outstanding achievements does Erick Hernández have in ball control?
Among his most notable achievements, Erick Hernández has controlled the ball with his head while sitting for over an hour with weights on his ankles and completed 10 kilometers while keeping the ball in the air during a run.
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