USA Karate Regional Referee Program

The USA Karate Regional Referee Program continues to have positive momentum and great success in 2025! There were twelve sanctioned seminars conducted in the second quarter 2025, with 98 new officials receiving licenses. There are now 30 instructors across the regions, which include the regional lead and assistant lead referees who can conduct sanctioned regional seminars. The regional program, combined with seminars at signature events, is expanding the knowledge and quality of officials across the country, contributing to improved experiences on the tatami for athletes at tournaments. It is fantastic to see many USA athletes and coaches also attending seminars and receiving licenses.

USA Karate had 25 officials present at the recent Pan American Championships in Mexico, with 17 officials testing for licenses. All 17 successfully received one or more licenses. Four USA Karate officials also successfully received their WKF kumite licenses in Fujairah in April. Four of our WKF officials participated in and did an amazing job representing USA Karate at the Premier League event in Rabat. Congratulations to our officials that continue to achieve great success internationally.

Thank you to all USA officials and instructors that participate in sanctioned regional seminars, international events, and USA Karate signature events. We have over 110 officials registered for the National Championships in Fort Worth, Texas!