Martial arts studio hopes to rebuild after tornado
Dayton Martial TROTWOOD — Arts Center on Salem Avenue was one of the many local businesses hit by tornadoes on Memorial Day, but the damage is not keeping the longtime business down.
For more than 50 years DAMAC has been a staple in the community as a dojo for the martial art of judo — a defensive discipline and sport with an emphasis on throws, armbars, chokes and pins.
It began 53 years ago as a judo center first based out of YMCAs in Dayton through the teachings of Ernest Curry, which later became a dojo his family has owned and operated in the area for more than 40 years.
Trotwood has been the home of the school for eight years. It’s a nonprofit that serves as an outlet for at-risk youth and abuse survivors.
Additionally, it has been a training ground for former Olympians such as twotime gold medalist and Middletown native Kayla Harrison. Mark Curry — Ernest’s son and 58-year-old Sensei for the school — won 18 straight state championships in Ohio and was an Olympic alternate.
The school sustained heavy structural damage following the EF4 tornado that hit Trotwood.
“We have glass windows at the front — some of them were tilted, and one of them was clear blown out,” said member of DAMAC Stephanie Elway. “We have mats on the ground in place for us to practice on, but they have glass all over and through them. Our ceiling has holes all the way through the roof. Also one of our walls is slanted, and it’s moved over one foot.”
Mark’s brother Galen Curry, 59 and also a Sensei, says that he hopes the studio can be rebuilt in Trotwood or in the area.
“We’re not trying to be one of those businesses that leave because the community has already suffered enough. There are still kids out there that need it, and as long as they keep coming we’re going to keep teaching,” he said. “The reason why I say that is because we’ve had students become successful in life. I’m talking Air Force, police and myself in the court system ( judo training for security guards).
“It keeps these kids off the street and in something positive. Every kid is not going to be a basketball player or football star.”
Following the tornadoes, Elway launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to rebuild. Currently around $3,000 of the $10,000 goal amount has been raised.
Jessica Bouldin — whose son attends DAMAC — has witnessed firsthand the benefits the studio can provide.
“I’ve seen a lot of change in my son during judo, and it has definitely helped with his behavior. He was having behavior and anger issues, but he has actually learned a lot (through judo),” she said. “As a parent I have also learned a lot. Since judo has closed, he has still working on controlling his anger and making better choices.”
“It teaches you a lot of life skills. There are so many times where you’re on the mat and you’re like, ‘Oh my god I do not want to do that again,’” Elway added.
“But there is always a good coach — and I use Sensei (Galen) here as an example – who says, ‘We have to keep going even if we’re tired’”
“Judo is a way of life,” Galen Curry said.
To donate toward the fund raising effort to rebuilt the DAMAC dojovisit https:// www.gofundme.com/ rebuild-damac