February 2026 Referee Update

2026 kicked off with our Inaugural Referee Training Camp in January!

Over 40 referees attended the weekend camp, and several also took the opportunity to test for referee and judge licenses. The camp was extremely beneficial for drilling-down on recent rule updates and the ability for in-depth interactive discussion on scenarios and situations. Participants learned key points to look for in different katas by reviewing videos and practicing katas together with Chris Hodgin and Will Gatch, focusing on key elements of several katas.

The camp provided the opportunity to work with coaches and athletes at the national training camp. Practice matches helped athletes, coaches, and referees work through scenarios that occur in the tatami. Several coaches also took the opportunity to participate in the referee training camp and engaged in detailed discussions on areas to focus on with their athletes, including new kata rules and kumite scoring, judgement calls, penalties, protests, and video review. There will be another referee training camp in 2026; attendance by officials and coaches will continue to strengthen their skills and provide the best support for our athletes.

USA NKF

The 2026 Team Trials in Denver was an important and successful event that selected the top athletes to compete in international competitions this year including the Pan American Championships. It was the first USA Karate event where the 2026 WKF rules were applied. Experience at the Referee Training Camp and attendance at recent January international events elevated the ability to apply the new rules effectively for the event.

The regional referee program continues to grow with three sanctioned referee seminars conducted in January. A total of 38 new officials earned licenses. Several participants audited the seminars including coaches, officials, and parents of athletes interested in understanding the updated 2026 rules. There are 10 additional sanctioned referee seminars already scheduled for the 1st quarter.

Our senior international officials took the opportunity to attend two of the first international events in 2026. Fariba Madani represented USA Karate in Tbilisi at the Series A event. Kathy Bailey, Will Gatch, Fariba Madani, and Senthil Thiyagarajan represented USA Karate at the Premier League event in Istanbul. Their attendance at these international events provided invaluable information for our Senior National Team Trials at the end of January. The importance of being part of these high-level international events is of great benefit to officials and for bringing back what is observed to the rest of the USA Karate referee corps.

We have 13 officials heading to the Youth League in Fujairah in February; 10 candidates testing for their first WKF licenses in kata and/or kumite; and Kathy Bailey, Will Gatch, and Fariba Madani will be there to officiate. Good luck to the entire team including our coaches and athletes participating!

Thank you to all our officials for a great start in 2026! We look forward to seeing everyone soon at the US Open/JIC and at the National Championships.

USA NKF

USA NKF