With no shoes, no coaches, no training schedule, no snatch techniques… and with a lot of stomach discomfort, Cuban Rafael Fortún Chacón made a pact with speed and courage to dazzle as a three-time champion in the Pan American Sports Games and a three-time starter in the Central American and Caribbean Games: five gold medals and three silver. Hail Champion!

At the pace of a record in the specialty of Field and Track, in the month of May 1954 this man from Camagüey clothed his family, town and nation with glory. He had won the Central American and Caribbean 100-meter dash for the third time in a row, after his first victory in Barranquilla, Colombia, 1942.

Who is Fortun Chacon?

He was born 103 years ago, at 10:30 at night on August 5th, 1919 on Estrada Palma street no. 73, today Ignacio Agramonte. He is the son of Rafael and Francisca. The Ebony Bala worked as a typesetter at the Camagüey printing press for La Región newspaper. In the railway club he competed in high jump, always as an amateur. That barefoot and unique jump placed him in the highest place of admiration from his companions.

The Rev. Father Escorihuela of the Escolapios summoned him for the next day with the purpose of giving him some spike shoes, according to El Camagüeyano newspaper of the time. Other sources indicate that it was the priest Pedro Jaime Massaguer Luego Francisco Ibarra, owner of the “Herbert” school, took a team to the carnivals of Oriente and won the “Guineo Fortún” as they also called it. On this occasion he was still known as a jumper. When a team was formed that would go to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the Inter-Antilles Games in 1944, he won bronze medals in the 200-meter race and in the high jump – with a mark of 1.88 meters, the press reports that it participated in the 4 x 100 modality because one of its runners was indisposed. His performance was such that since then he became the runner.

Career

For 10 years he became the fastest man in Central America until he extended to the Pan American games. He defeated the American delegation in the person of Arthur Bragg. The page dedicated to his records specifies that he stood out in contests convened by the Cuban Sports Organization, as well as in the first festival in memory of José Barrientos, held in 1946.

Colombia

In December of the same year he was part of the Cuban delegation to the V Central American and Caribbean Games, in Barranquilla, Colombia, in which he set a speed record in the 100-meter dash -with a mark of 10.4 seconds- and beat the Panamanian Lloyd La Beach, who two years later would reach a bronze medal at the London Olympics. At the same time, he won the 200 meters with 21.6 seconds and finished with a silver medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay.

Guatemala

At the VI Central American and Caribbean Games, in Guatemala during February and March 1950, he surpassed his previous speed record by running the 100 meter dash in 10.3 seconds. He took part in the 4 x 100 meter relay and took second place in the double hectometer.

Mexico

In March 1954, at the VII Central American and Caribbean Games, held in Mexico City, he won a gold medal in the 100 meter dash with 10.5 seconds, and a silver medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay race.

Olympic Games

He was already 35 years old, an advanced age for a successful athlete in any of these difficult modalities. Before that third victory in the Central American and Caribbean Games, Fortún had successfully participated in two Olympic Games; the first in 1948 in London, where he reached the semi-finals, and in 1952 in Helsinki, Finland.

Mexico and the United States, the best short distance runner in America

He also took part in the continental games in Mexico City, in 1955, and in Chicago, in 1959, where he won the 100-meter dash. Considered the best short distance runner in America, he remained the absolute champion of the 100 and 200 meter dashes for eight years, from 1946 to 1954.

National record for 14 years

He held his national record for the 100 meter dash – 10.3 seconds – from 1950 to 1960, and the 200 meter dash – 21.2 seconds – from 1951 to 1965; for fourteen years.

Retirement

He retired as an active athlete in 1955. Qualified as a physical education teacher, after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. He trained important figures such as Enrique Figuerola, Miguelina Cobián, Alberto Juantorena, Silvio Leonard and others.

Death

While he was a member of the Preparatory Committee for the XIV Central American and Caribbean Games, in Havana, on June 22th, 1982, death surprised Rafael Fortún.

Legacy

He was recognized among the hundred best Cuban athletes of the 20th century.

Bibliography

Periódico El Camagüeyano, 1954

Cubanos famosos

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García