🏆 Competition Format & Structure

Competition Disciplines

Compared across 7 organizations. Competition Format & Structure category.

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Rule Text by Organization

IKMF International Kettlebell Marathon Federation

IKMF competition disciplines for marathon and half marathon: Jerk (1 or 2 KB), Long Cycle (1 or 2 KB), Snatch (1 KB), Half Snatch (1 or 2 KB). Additional double-kettlebell disciplines: Double Jerk, Double Long Cycle, Double Half Snatch. IKMF Games adds specific heavy single-KB events. Pentathlon disciplines: Clean, Long Cycle Press, Jerk, Half Snatch, Push Press.

Source: IKMF Competition Rules, Ranking Tables (2020/2023/2025), IKMF Rules 2015, AKSI Marathon Rules, IKMF Ultimate Girevik Cup Rules

IUKL International Union of Kettlebell Lifting

IUKL standard program exercises: Jerk (short cycle with two kettlebells), Long Cycle (clean and jerk with two kettlebells for men, one kettlebell for women), Snatch (one kettlebell), Classic Biathlon (jerk + snatch), and Relay Races. Kettlebell weights used: 16kg, 24kg, 32kg, and 40kg.

Source: IUKL International Rules and Regulations (2013/2017), IUKL Official Ranking Tables Excel (2014-2017), AKA/IUKL Rankings PDF

GSU Girevoy Sport Union

GSU competition disciplines: Biathlon (Jerk + Snatch), Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk), Snatch (women's traditional discipline as standalone), and Marathon/Half Marathon events. Singles (one kettlebell) and doubles (two kettlebells) variants are available for both Biathlon and Long Cycle. GSU tracks UK records in Jerk, Snatch, Biathlon, Long Cycle, and Marathon.

Source: GSU Competition Rules (Rules Pack images), GSU Ranking Tables (JPG images + PDF), GSU Website, IUKL Rules and Regulations (2013/2017 — GSU's parent system)

WKSF World Kettlebell Sport Federation

Long Cycle (Two Arms): 10 min, 2 kettlebells, Clean & Jerk with 2 kettlebells, one hand change NOT allowed. Biathlon: 10 min + 10 min, 2 KB (Jerk) + 1 KB (Snatch), Jerk 10 min + Snatch 10 min with rest period between, combined score. Snatch: 10 min or 12 min, 1 KB, one arm snatch, only one hand change allowed (10 min), unlimited hand changes (12 min). One Arm Long Cycle: 10 min, 1 KB, Clean & Jerk with 1 kettlebell, one hand change allowed. Jerk (Marathon): 30/60 min, 1 KB, one arm jerk, multiple hand changes allowed. Long Cycle (Marathon): 30/60 min, 1 KB, one arm clean & jerk, multiple hand changes allowed. Snatch (Marathon): 30/60 min, 1 KB, one arm snatch, multiple hand changes allowed.

Source: WKSF Rules English 2023-2027 UPDATE

IKSFA International Kettlebell Sport & Fitness Academy

IKSFA competition disciplines: Biathlon (Jerk + Snatch), Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk), Jerk (standalone), and Snatch (standalone). All events are 10-minute sets.

Source: IKFF/IKSFA Kettlebell Competitions Rankings, Policies, Rules and FAQ (PDF, 21 pages). Developed by IKSFA President Sergey Rachinskiy & Master Coach Sergey Rudnev.

IKO International Kettlebell Organization

IKO competition disciplines: Long Cycle, Jerk, Snatch, Biathlon, Triathlon, Double Half Snatch (added 2024), and Kata (choreographed kettlebell movements).

Source: IKO Competition Rules & Ranking Tables (2019 2nd Edition, DHS added 2024)

IKLF International Kettlebell Lifting Federation

BOLT offers six competition lifts: (1) Single Kettlebell Snatch, (2) Single Kettlebell Jerk, (3) Single Kettlebell Clean and Jerk (Long Cycle), (4) Double Kettlebell Snatch, (5) Double Kettlebell Jerk, (6) Double Kettlebell Clean and Jerk (Long Cycle). Both men and women can compete in any and all events.

6 lifts
Source: IKLF BOLT Competition Rules & Ranking System (compiled from IKLF website, KB Fit Britt analysis, Legendary Strength, Sweat RX, and research documents)

Comparison Analysis

Core disciplines (Jerk, Long Cycle, Snatch) are universal but each org adds unique events. IKLF offers 6 lifts including doubles for all. IKMF focuses on marathon formats. IKO added Double Half Snatch and Kata. IKSFA offers standalone Jerk.

Core events

All orgs include Jerk, Long Cycle, and Snatch. IUKL/WKSF/GSU add Biathlon. IKO adds Triathlon, Double Half Snatch, and Kata. IKSFA adds standalone Jerk and Snatch.

Marathon formats

IKMF: 30min half marathon and 60min marathon are primary format. GSU and IUKL offer marathon as supplementary. IKO/IKSFA/WKSF focus on 10-minute sets.

Unique events

IKLF: Iron Man (LC+Snatch same session), KT1/KT2 triathlons. IKO: Kata (choreographed routine judged on form). IKMF: Pentathlon (5 disciplines x 6min).

Double KB for women

IKLF offers doubles for both genders across all lifts. GSU/IUKL now include women's doubles. WKSF/IKO traditionally restrict women to singles in some events.

What All Organizations Agree On

  • Jerk, Long Cycle, and Snatch are standard across all 7 organizations
Most Lenient: IKLFMost lift options (6), doubles available for all genders, most format flexibility

Athlete Impact: Athletes should check which events their target org offers. Some events like Kata (IKO only) or Pentathlon (IKMF only) have no equivalent elsewhere. Marathon specialists should look at IKMF first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does International Kettlebell Marathon Federation (IKMF) define competition disciplines?

IKMF competition disciplines for marathon and half marathon: Jerk (1 or 2 KB), Long Cycle (1 or 2 KB), Snatch (1 KB), Half Snatch (1 or 2 KB). Additional double-kettlebell disciplines: Double Jerk, Double Long Cycle, Double Half Snatch. IKMF Games adds specific heavy single-KB events. Pentathlon disciplines: Clean, Long Cycle Press, Jerk, Half Snatch, Push Press.

How does International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL) define competition disciplines?

IUKL standard program exercises: Jerk (short cycle with two kettlebells), Long Cycle (clean and jerk with two kettlebells for men, one kettlebell for women), Snatch (one kettlebell), Classic Biathlon (jerk + snatch), and Relay Races. Kettlebell weights used: 16kg, 24kg, 32kg, and 40kg.

How does Girevoy Sport Union (GSU) define competition disciplines?

GSU competition disciplines: Biathlon (Jerk + Snatch), Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk), Snatch (women's traditional discipline as standalone), and Marathon/Half Marathon events. Singles (one kettlebell) and doubles (two kettlebells) variants are available for both Biathlon and Long Cycle. GSU tracks UK records in Jerk, Snatch, Biathlon, Long Cycle, and Marathon.

How does World Kettlebell Sport Federation (WKSF) define competition disciplines?

Long Cycle (Two Arms): 10 min, 2 kettlebells, Clean & Jerk with 2 kettlebells, one hand change NOT allowed. Biathlon: 10 min + 10 min, 2 KB (Jerk) + 1 KB (Snatch), Jerk 10 min + Snatch 10 min with rest period between, combined score. Snatch: 10 min or 12 min, 1 KB, one arm snatch, only one hand change allowed (10 min), unlimited hand changes (12 min). One Arm Long Cycle: 10 min, 1 KB, Clean & Jerk with 1 kettlebell, one hand change allowed. Jerk (Marathon): 30/60 min, 1 KB, one arm jerk, multiple hand changes allowed. Long Cycle (Marathon): 30/60 min, 1 KB, one arm clean & jerk, multiple hand changes allowed. Snatch (Marathon): 30/60 min, 1 KB, one arm snatch, multiple hand changes allowed.

How does International Kettlebell Sport & Fitness Academy (IKSFA) define competition disciplines?

IKSFA competition disciplines: Biathlon (Jerk + Snatch), Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk), Jerk (standalone), and Snatch (standalone). All events are 10-minute sets.

How does International Kettlebell Organization (IKO) define competition disciplines?

IKO competition disciplines: Long Cycle, Jerk, Snatch, Biathlon, Triathlon, Double Half Snatch (added 2024), and Kata (choreographed kettlebell movements).

How does International Kettlebell Lifting Federation (IKLF) define competition disciplines?

BOLT offers six competition lifts: (1) Single Kettlebell Snatch, (2) Single Kettlebell Jerk, (3) Single Kettlebell Clean and Jerk (Long Cycle), (4) Double Kettlebell Snatch, (5) Double Kettlebell Jerk, (6) Double Kettlebell Clean and Jerk (Long Cycle). Both men and women can compete in any and all events.

See the interactive comparison on KETTLEBELL MONSTER™ for filterable views and more detail.

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