Octavian Zidaru

Octavian Zidaru (born 17 October 1953) is a Romanian fencer and coach.

Personal life

Zidaru took up fencing in 1967 at his school sports club, CSS Triumf, and later joined CSA Steaua București. He first studied economics at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.

Career

As a sportsman, he became national champion of Romania in 1975, and was vice-champion in 1978, 1980, and 1982. He was awarded in 1977 the title of master in sports and in 1982 the title of master emeritus in sports .

The 2013–14 season saw Simona Gherman's return to competition. She was drafted back into the team immediately and won a bronze medal at the European Championships in Strasbourg, Romania earning a sixth European title in the team event. The World Championships proved however very disappointing as no Romanian fencer got past the round of 16 and Romania lost in the quarter-finals, finishing 5th in the team event.

As of 2016, Zidaru is head coach to the Hong Kong women's épée team. Under his guidance, Vivian Kong qualified to the 2016 Summer Olympics. and they made history for Hong Kong when Vivian Kong was ranked number one in the world in the FIE 2018-2019 ranking senior women's épée. On 27 July 2024, Vivian Kong won the Olympic championship for women's épée under Zidaru's coaching.