April 2026 Referee Update

Share:

by Secretary of the Referee Committee, Diane Martin

The USA Karate US Open, JIC, and U21 Team Trials event held April 2-5, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas, was a tremendous success with over 90 officials participating at the event! The four days went very smoothly, allowing athletes, referees, coaches, and families time to enjoy the city at the end of each day and rest for the next day of competition. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers and USA Karate staff for all the work before and during the event to run things so efficiently!

The referee course and briefing covered the updated rules of competition for 2026. 45 officials were present at the course to renew or upgrade their licenses. All Referee A and Referee B licensed officials must renew their licenses at either the US Open or the Nationals referee course each year. Officials planning to participate internationally must officiate at both signature events. 


April Referee Article
USA Karate

Several USA Karate officials represented USA Karate at the Premier League in Rome in March, including Cedric Barksdale, Jay Farrell, Will Gatch, and Diane Martin. Two of our USA Karate WKF officials will be traveling to Spain for the Series A event, and four USA Karate WKF officials will attend the Youth League in Manila in May. At least 12 USA Karate officials plan to participate in the PKF Championships in Brazil in May. 


usarefsrome
USA Karate

Sanctioned regional referee seminars were held in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington in March. Upcoming seminars include Georgia, New York, Texas, and West Virginia in April and Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Texas in May. 

It is time to register for the 2026 National Championships and Jr. Team Trials in July in Spokane, WA. Hotel information is posted on the web site. The second Referee Training Camp will be held July 31-August 2 with the Q3 National Training Camp/PKF Jr. Training Camp in Colorado. Information will be posted soon. Thank you to all our officials for everything you do for USA Karate! We look forward to seeing everyone soon at sanctioned seminars, tournaments, and at the Nationals in July!