Call it a comeback; Russ Ferdico does

Central Valley — Russ Ferdico of Central Valley took home a bronze medal at the New York State Tae Kwon Do championships last weekend, placing third in the heavyweight division. Now 30, Ferdico was competing after an eight-year hiatus. Just over two years ago, Ferdico weighed 300 pounds, after waging a six-year fight with intestinal disease that left the former amateur middleweight kickboxing champion damaged beyond what doctors thought was repairable. “It took four major surgeries, two stays in intensive care, months in the hospital, and an absolute miracle to be put back together again,” he said. “It was a few months after my last surgery, about two years ago, when the doctor gave me a clean bill of health and said I could do light to moderate exercises.” A few months after returning to the gym, something unpredictable happened. “I began lifting free-weights and was able to do more intense workouts. I was baffled,” Ferdico said. He used his training knowledge to rehabilitate himself and build a body worthy of his old fighting nickname, “The Wrecking Ball.” He began studying Tae Kwon Do at United Material Arts Centers, where he recently earned his brown belt. He also lifts weights, and takes kickboxing and boxing classes at American Self Defense, both in Monroe. “It feels great when my trainers compliment me on my progress. I’ve lost 90 pounds, and so much has happened, so fast. It feels like I’m mentally trying to catch-up with what I can do physically. It wasn’t that long ago I was fighting for my life, now I’m doing it just to stay in shape and have fun.” Ferdico is unsure when he will stop competing, but for the time being he is looking forward to future karate competitions. And recapturing what was a lost dream just a few years ago.