Shikha Pathak, a seasoned Ju-Jitsu technical official from Vasco in Goa, has been selected to represent India as an International Technical Official (ITO) at the prestigious Genoa Open JJIF Ranking Grand Prix, scheduled to be held in Italy.
Her selection is being hailed as a significant milestone for Indian martial arts, particularly for technical officials gaining recognition on the global stage. Pathak has steadily climbed the international refereeing ladder and holds the distinction of being the first Indian and Asian woman to achieve World B Referee status in the Duo Discipline. She is also recognised as the first Asian female World Referee in Ju-Jitsu, an achievement that has brought pride to the Indian Ju-Jitsu fraternity.
Pathak is set to depart from India on February 4 to join an elite panel of international referees appointed by the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). The Genoa Open Grand Prix, a major ranking event on the JJIF calendar, will be held from February 7 to 8, 2026, at the Palasport in Genoa and is expected to attract top competitors from across the world.
Speaking ahead of her departure, Pathak described officiating at a high-level international competition as both an honour and a responsibility. She said representing the country on a global platform brings immense pride and added that her focus would be on ensuring fair play, technical accuracy and strict adherence to JJIF standards.
Members of the Indian Ju-Jitsu community have welcomed her appointment, calling it recognition of years of dedication, discipline and consistent performance in international assignments. Officials noted that her presence at major global events has helped enhance India’s credibility in the technical and officiating domains of the sport.
Pathak’s selection is also being viewed as a reflection of the growing acceptance and visibility of Indian referees in international combat sports. With Indian athletes and officials increasingly entrusted with responsibilities at world-level competitions, her appointment at the Genoa Open Grand Prix is seen as another step forward for Indian Ju-Jitsu on the international circuit.
Based in Vasco, Goa, Shikha Pathak continues to balance her international officiating duties with efforts to promote and develop Ju-Jitsu standards in India, while actively encouraging greater participation of women in technical and officiating roles.
