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KATHMANDU, June 13 – Renowned Nepali International Taekwondo Referee Ashok Khadka left for Australia on Saturday to officiate in four back-to-back prestigious World Ranking Taekwondo Tournaments.

Khadka has been selected to serve as an international referee in major global events, including the G-4 Oceania Open & Para, the World Ranking G-3 WT President's Cup, and the World Ranking G-2 Australian Open.

His refereeing campaign will kick off with the World Ranking G-2 Taekwondo Championship scheduled to take place in Gold Coast, Australia, from June 18 to 22. The event is jointly organized by Australian Taekwondo and Oceania Taekwondo.

A Proven Track Record on the Global Stage

This assignment marks Khadka's fourth time officiating at the prestigious Australian Open, having previously served as an international referee in the 2019, 2024, and 2025 editions.

A breakdown of his professional profile highlights his significant stature in martial arts refereeing:

• Dual Discipline Expertise: He is a Second-Class International Referee in both Kyorugi (sparring) and Poomsae (forms) disciplines.

• Para-Taekwondo Specialization: He is among the select few Nepali Taekwondo officials who have completed specialized Para-Referee courses, qualifying him to judge para-athlete events.

• Global Experience: Khadka has already officiated as a jury member in over 50 world-ranking taekwondo competitions globally.

Decorated Career and Leadership

Beyond his international duties, Ashok Khadka is a highly respected figure in the domestic sports arena. He currently serves as the President of the Nepalese Taekwondo Academy (NTA).

Recognizing his outstanding contribution to sports and fair play, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Nepal previously honored him with the prestigious 'Best Referee' award.

The Nepali sports fraternity has extended its best wishes to Khadka, whose frequent appointments to international tournaments continue to elevate the profile of Nepali sports officiating on the global map.