USA Karate Announces Structural Changes to National Referee Programs
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by USA-NKF
Colorado Springs, Colo. – USA Karate, the national governing body for the sport of karate in the United States, is excited to announce significant changes to its National Referee program, effective immediately. These changes reflect USA Karate’s ongoing commitment to elevating the sport and ensuring world-class standards in officiating.
Following the recent restructuring of its National Coaching Staff earlier this year, USA Karate will now implement a similar geographic restructuring of its National Referee Staff. The new regional structure aims to provide more leadership opportunities, enhance support, and streamline the recruitment, education, licensing, and retention of top-tier referees across the country. By decentralizing responsibilities, the organization hopes to bolster the capacity and effectiveness of its officiating programs at every level.
“USA Karate is investing the resources necessary to identify, develop, and train world-class referees as we continue being the leader in the sport of karate,” said Michael Cain, CEO of USA Karate. “It's crucial that we structure our programs in a way that maximizes these investments, providing our referees with the tools and leadership needed for success. These changes are a direct reflection of our commitment to excellence, and I am excited about the future of our programs under this new framework.”
The following people applied for, were interviewed by committee and were selected for the following positions, effective January 1, 2025.
• Chief Referee of the USA - Fariba Madani
• Assistant Chief Referee of the USA - Will Gatch
• Lead Referee of Region 1 - Chuck Sweigart
• Assistant Lead Referee of Region 1 - Jorge Caro
• Lead Referee of Region 2 - Jay Farrell
• Assistant Lead Referee of Region 2- Jordan Fox
• Lead Referee of Region 3 - Senthil Thiyagarajan
• Assistant Lead Referee of Region 3 – Ray Hughes
• Lead Referee of Region 4 - Kathy Bailey
• Assistant Lead Referee of Region 4 - Dejan Miloshevski
• Lead Referee of Region 5 - Cedric Barksdale
• Assistant Lead Referee of Region 5 - David Rosenberg
• Lead Referee of Region 6 – Max Chomiak
• Assistant Lead Referee of Region 6- TBD
This restructuring represents the first steps in a broader initiative aimed at expanding USA Karate’s officiating infrastructure, ensuring that the organization is better positioned to serve athletes and referees alike. As USA Karate continues to grow and enhance its programs, these structural adjustments will play a key role in supporting the future of the sport at both the national and international levels.
About USA Karate
USA Karate is the national governing body for the sport of karate in the United States, responsible for overseeing karate competitions, athlete development, and officiating at both the national and international levels. USA Karate’s mission is to promote and develop karate as a competitive sport while fostering the personal growth of athletes, coaches, and officials.
For more information, please visit www.usakarate.com.
