By Prakash Sigdel ,USA
a distinguished group of Nepalese Taekwondo referees made an impressive mark at the 2026 AAU Taekwondo Team Trials and Junior Olympic Games, held in Des Moines, Iowa, from July 29 to August 2, 2026. Their presence at one of the United States’ most prestigious amateur sporting events represents one of the largest and most significant representations of Nepalese Taekwondo officials on an international stage.
The Taekwondo competition was conducted under the banner of the 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games, a premier multi-sport event held from July 27 to August 8, featuring thousands of athletes from across the United States. The Games included a wide range of sports such as Gymnastics, Wrestling, Swimming, Track & Field, Karate, Judo, and many more, making it one of the largest annual youth sporting events in the country.
Founded in 1888, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has long stood as a global leader in amateur sports development. Guided by its mission, “Sports For All, Forever,” the AAU continues to nurture athletes, coaches, and officials, with nearly 800,000 members and over 150,000 volunteers across more than 50 sports programs nationwide.
Among the most elite events in the AAU Taekwondo program, the AAU Taekwondo Team Trials is considered the highest level of competition for athletes aiming to qualify for the AAU National Team. Participation is limited to top-performing athletes, making it one of the most competitive and selective tournaments in the AAU calendar.
Running alongside the Team Trials, the Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championships showcased the nation’s top young talents competing in Olympic-style sparring, poomsae, para taekwondo, and other divisions. The event serves as a powerful platform for developing future champions while promoting discipline, leadership, and sportsmanship.
A Proud Moment for Nepal
For Nepal, this event carried exceptional significance. A highly respected team of Nepalese referees demonstrated outstanding professionalism, technical excellence, and integrity throughout the competition, further strengthening Nepal’s reputation in the global Taekwondo community.
The Nepalese referees who proudly represented their community include:
- Senior Master Kumar Karki
- Senior Master Dinesh Shrestha
- Master Bikash Gurung
- Master Gopal Bhandari
- Master Sanjiv Nepali
- Instructor Binita Puri Rai
- Instructor Mamita Subedi
- Instructor Nischal Dhungana
- Instructor Neha Darji
- Instructor Grace Dhimal
Their selection to officiate at this elite-level championship is the result of years of dedication, continuous training, and unwavering commitment to Taekwondo. Working alongside experienced officials from the United States and other countries, they upheld the highest standards of fairness, discipline, and professionalism.
Rising Global Recognition
This historic participation is more than an individual accomplishment—it reflects the remarkable growth and rising global recognition of Nepalese Taekwondo officials. Their success serves as an inspiration for the next generation of referees, coaches, and athletes in Nepal and beyond.
As Nepal continues to expand its footprint in international Taekwondo, achievements like this demonstrate that Nepalese officials are fully capable of contributing at the highest levels of global competition.
A Milestone Achievement
The successful representation of Nepalese referees at the 2026 AAU Taekwondo Team Trials and Junior Olympic Games stands as a major milestone in Nepal’s sporting history. It not only brings pride to the nation but also strengthens the bond between the Nepalese and American Taekwondo communities—opening doors for even greater opportunities in the future.This achievement sends a powerful message to the world: Nepal is not only producing talented athletes, but also world-class officials ready to lead on the global stage.
