Education
He first studied economics at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.
He first studied economics at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in sports science from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of the University of Bucharest. He competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. He ranked only 26th in the individual épée event, but reached the semi-finals in the team event for Romania with Ioan Popa, Anton Pongratz, Costică Bărăgan, and Petru Kuki.
The team was eventually defeated by Russia and missed the podium.
He was awarded in 1977 the title of master in sports (Maestru al Sportului) and in 1982 the title of master emeritus in sports (Maestru Emerit al Sportului). He takes an active part in the development of fencing worldwide, giving training courses in Jordania in 2004 and 2008, and supervising the Dakar international School for fencing masters from 2005 to 2008.
He also held in 2012 the first fencing coaching course specifically dedicated to women. Zidaru drafted Simona People’s and Maria Udrea as regular team members, with Raluca Sbîrcia and Amalia Tătăran as reserves.
He led them to a silver medal in the 2013 European Fencing Championships in Zagreb and a bronze medal in the 2013 World Fencing Championships in Budapest.
The 2013-2014 season saw Simona Gherman"s return to competition. 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. Following this failure, Zidaru was replaced by Dan Podeanu.
As a sportsman, he became national champion of Romania in 1975, and was vice-champion in 1978, 1980, and 1982. He also won eleven gold medal in the team championship for Steaua and the Cupa României in 1982. After Dan Podeanu"s resignation following the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, he became the coach of a largely reshuffled Romanian women"s épée team: Loredana Dinu, Anca Măroiu and Simona Gherman retired from sport. Only captain Ana Maria Brânză remained from the twice-world champion team In August 2013 he won the Romanian veteran championship in the over 60 category. 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.
He is now an international coach for the International Fencing Federation, member of the executive committee of the European Fencing Confederation and technical director of the Romanian Fencing Federation.
