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Farmingdale
Woman Grabs Silver at State Judo Championships
DiDio, a graduate of Farmingdale High School, has competed in over 50 competitions and holds brown belts in Judo and a form of Jujitso and black belt rankings in 2 Systems of Karate and 1 System of Jujitsu. DiDio said she practices Judo because she enjoys the martial arts. "I also noticed the health benefits Judo provided in my training," she added. "It really gets you and keeps you in shape. Also, Judo is great for anyone at any level to enjoy the game. You don't have to compete or be an Olympian to enjoy the art and sport of Judo." While DiDio has competed in over 50 competitions around the world, she said the Empire State Games Silver Medal was her biggest accomplishment. "To medal in such a prestigious tournament such as the Empire State Games, it makes me feel that all the training was so worth it," DiDio explained. An employee at Northrop Grumman Corp., DiDio is also the founder and chief instructor of Rose & Thorn Self Defense Fighting System for Women at Judo Sports, Inc. in Massapequa, where she is also a sensei. She said she created this program because she feels that women should know enough self-defense to get out of any physical confrontation. "Even if they never use their skills in their lifetime, it's best to know a little something than nothing at all," she added. "In this day and age, the way society is and always was, I am surprised women don't run to self-defense classes and martial arts classes in droves." According to DiDio, everything taught in her class can be used instinctively. Predominately a male-dominated sport, DiDio said it is sometimes difficult to be taken seriously by fellow Judokas (Judo practitioners). "I am lucky to belong to a club that takes my training seriously and wants to see me succeed," she said. As for girls taking up an interest in Judo, DiDio highly recommends training at a young age. "Judo, I feel, was really made for women. Prof. Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo was 5'2" and 110 lbs.," she added. "He loved teaching women and created a whole female division of Judo. Prof. Keiko Fekuda is the oldest living female disciple of Prof. Kano today. She is 92 years old and teaches Judo three days a week in San Francisco. I can only hope to aspire to be like her. Women benefit more in regard to technique and leverage over a larger opponent. We are able to use such technique over brute strength to accomplish our task in Judo. This philosophy can be put to the street as well as the dojo and competition mat. That is why I feel every female should learn Judo from a young age." |
