Ishinryu karate referees were in action at the Australian Open, working alongside a highly experienced group of officials.This is a pretty special group of martial artists. A referee must have a minimum level of karate background (for national, a minimum of 1st Dan black belt, with 8th Dans included in this exceptional group ☝️) and undertake rigorous examinations on a regular basis.
The Australian Open is one of two opportunities each year for national upgrade. With Sensei Alison serving as an examiner for the National Referee Commission (NRC), it was a busy weekend ensuring consistent standards and compliance. Sensei Alison is also Chair of the NSW Referees Commission and a member of the National Referees Commission.
We were allocated across five tatami. Sensei Alison was Tatami Manager on T4, and Sensei Michael officiated as referee on T5.
This work is both demanding and rewarding. Meet the crew from T4 (and note, very unusually, the gender balance).
What’s next?
In May, Sensei Alison will head to Manila to referee at a WKF Youth League event, building toward a potential world upgrade at the Junior World Championships in October. Sensei Michael will officiate in Auckland at the Oceania Championships and NZ Open as he works toward his first Oceania accreditation.
When we talk about a competition pedigree at Ishinryu, we mean it 😄. If sport karate is in your future, you’re in the right place.
Officiating at this level requires not only technical knowledge, but composure, consistency, and strong decision-making under pressure. These are the same qualities we develop in our students on the tatami every week.