Hoshiarpur- Punjab's internationally renowned karate referee and coach Sensei Jagmohan Vij has once again made India shine at the international level. He successfully cleared the Referee 'A' exam organized by the World Karate Federation (WKF) during the referee course held ahead of the 2025 World Karate Championship qualifying event in Paris (France).
It is worth noting that Jagmohan Vij is the first Punjabi karate referee from North and Central India to obtain this highest international referee qualification.
This exam, which lasted for four days, is considered one of the toughest exams of the World Karate Federation. The examination was conducted by an 8-member examination panel led by Javier Escalante (Sweden), Chairman of the World Karate Federation Referee Commission, and Eva Mona Altmann (Germany), Secretary.
The panel, which included Mansour Al Sultan (Kuwait), Fariba Madani (USA), Guido Abdalla (Guatemala), Lelwin Roda (South Africa), Yasuhinsa Abe (Japan), Ma Junting (China), Jaber (United Arab Emirates) and Pinar Guzel from Turkey, examined the abilities of referees from 142 countries around the world.
During the referee course, participating referees have to take both theoretical and practical exams, in which their performance as referees, judges and match supervisors is examined. Sensei Vij’s stellar performance earned him the WKF Kumite Referee ‘A’ license — a testament to his deep understanding, consistency and ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
After clearing the exam, Sensei Jagmohan Vij was selected to represent India as a Video Review Supervisor, Match Supervisor, Judge and Referee at the World Karate Championships 2025. Sensei Vij has been continuously participating in the World Karate Federation Referee Course since 2021 and has so far served as a referee at three World Karate Championships — Konya (Turkey), Jesolo, Venice (Italy) and Paris (France). He is highly respected in the international karate community for his impartiality, discipline and integrity.
Karate India Organisation President Hanshi Bharat Sharma, Sensei Shaheen Akhtar (Chairperson, South Asian Karate Federation Referee Commission), Sensei Premjit Sen (Chairman, Keio Referee Commission), and senior referees Sensei Paramjit Singh, Sensei Haridas Govind, Sensei Anup Ashok Dethe, Sensei Vijay Kumar Dugru, Sensei Jitesh Nair and Sensei Shaji Kottaram congratulated him on this achievement. On his return to India after officiating in the referee course and the qualifying stage of the World Karate Championship, Sensei Jagmohan Vij said that this achievement is not just my personal achievement, but is the result of the hard work, dedication and passion of the entire Indian karate family. I am grateful to my seniors for their trust and guidance, especially to Karate India Organisation President Shihan Bharat Sharma and Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Jangra for their continuous support and inspiration.
I resolve to uphold the values ??of fairness, respect and excellence in every international competition.”
The Karate India Organisation — the only National Federation in India recognised by the World Karate Federation and the Asian Karate Federation — congratulated Sensei Jagmohan Vij on this achievement, saying that his success has given new inspiration to young referees and players across the country.