Kathmandu [Nepal], August 16 – International taekwondo referee Bablu Shiwakoti has been appointed as an International Technical Official (ITO) for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan marking another major step in his international officiating career.
The Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) announced his selection on Saturday following confirmation from the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU). Shiwakoti will officiate taekwondo competitions scheduled from October 1 to 3 during the Games which will run from September 19 to October 4.
Shiwakoti, an executive member of the NTA holds international referee certifications in both Kyorugi or sparring and Poomsae or forms. His selection highlights Nepal’s growing presence in international taekwondo officiating.
He began his international officiating career after earning his Kyorugi certification in Dubai in January 2023. He received his Poomsae accreditation in September 2024 and has since officiated competitions in 10 countries including Australia, Japan, China and India.
Earlier this year he officiated at the 27th Asian Taekwondo Championships and the Asian Games qualification tournament in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. His latest assignment was the WT President’s Cup (G-3) in Gold Coast, Australia.
Shiwakoti is also an accomplished taekwondo practitioner. He won a bronze medal in the Master Team Poomsae event at the 4th Heroes Taekwondo International Championship in Bangkok.
The ATU appointed him to its Technical Committee for 2026. He also attended an ATU Referee Education Course in Seoul last December focusing on updated World Taekwondo rules.
At home he serves as an NTA central board member and Technical delegate helping standardise officiating through refresher courses and technical seminars.
