All 103 competition rules from International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL), organized by category.
Biathlon consists of two separate 10-minute sets: Jerk (10 minutes) followed by Snatch (10 minutes), with at least 1 hour of rest between the two exercises. The biathlon score is calculated as: jerk reps (x1 point each) + snatch reps (x0.5 points eac...
IUKL Biathlon = Jerk x1 + Snatch x0.5. Example: 80 jerks + 120 snatches = 80 + 60 = 140 biathlon points. Note: Some sources describe the IUKL formula as 'Jerk x2 + Snatch x1' which is mathematically equivalent (simply doubled). The IUKL Excel and AKA...
IUKL competitions are divided into: Personal (individual results determine placement), Team (collective team results determine placement), and Personal-Team (both individual and team scoring are applied). Events and rules of each competition are dete...
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 weigh...
In relay races, participants compete by weight category progression (lightest first). Transfer of the relay is made on the command 'Change'. Only one athlete competes per stage, with a general accumulating count maintained throughout.
Jerk and Long Cycle: 1 repetition = 1 point. Snatch: reps counted directly (total of both hands). Biathlon scoring: 1 jerk rep = 1 point, 1 snatch rep = 0.5 point. Total biathlon score = jerk points + (snatch reps x 0.5). This differs from some other...
IUKL competition sets are 10 minutes for all standard disciplines. After 10 minutes the head judge submits the command 'Stop'. The participant is invited to the platform at least two minutes prior to the beginning of his/her flight. Five seconds prio...
The judge announces elapsed time as each minute passes. After 9 minutes, time is announced every 30 seconds. The final 5 seconds are announced individually (5, 4, 3, 2, 1). After 10 minutes the head judge submits the command 'Stop'.
Winners are determined by the greatest sum of repetitions (rises). If two or more athletes achieve equal results: (1) advantage goes to the competitor with the smaller body weight before performance, (2) then smaller body weight after performance, (3...
The age of the participant is defined by year of birth (on 1st of January of current year). Categories: Youth — up to 16 years and up to 18 years; Juniors — up to 22 years; Adults — over 22 years. Youth and juniors may compete with adults with approp...
IUKL awards colored breastplates to athletes who achieve sport ranks: Gold breastplate — Distinguished Professional (5+ World records OR 7+ World/Europe records OR 10+ Europe records) and Deserved Professional (5+ World Champion OR 7+ World/Europe Ch...
Women's weight classes for Biathlon, Long Cycle, and Snatch: 47kg, 50kg, 53kg, 58kg, (58+kg), 63kg, (63+kg), 68kg, 68+kg. The parenthesized classes (58+ and 63+) are used for Amateur/Youth tiers only. Up to 9 classes total.
Men's Amateur tier kettlebell weights: Rank 1 / Amateur I uses 24kg. Rank 2 / Amateur II uses 20kg. Rank 3 / Amateur III uses 16kg. Amateur ranks are available across all weight classes from 48kg to 105+kg.
Men's Professional tier kettlebell weights: MSIC / Professional I uses 32kg for Biathlon, Long Cycle, and Snatch. MS / Professional II uses 32kg. CMS / Professional III uses 28kg. Professional ranks are only available to athletes in weight classes 63...
Men's Youth/Junior tier kettlebell weights: Junior 1J / Youth I uses 20kg. Junior 2J / Youth II uses 16kg. Junior 3J / Youth III uses 12kg. Youth ranks are available for weight classes up to 85+kg only (not in the heavier adult classes 95/105/105+).
Women's Amateur tier kettlebell weights: Rank 1 / Amateur I uses 16kg. Rank 2 / Amateur II uses 12kg. Rank 3 / Amateur III uses 8kg.
Women's Professional tier kettlebell weights: MSIC / Professional I uses 24kg for Biathlon and Snatch, 28kg for Long Cycle. MS / Professional II uses 24kg. CMS / Professional III uses 20kg. Professional ranks are available from 53kg weight class and ...
Women's Youth/Junior tier kettlebell weights: Junior 1J / Youth I uses 16kg. Junior 2J / Youth II uses 12kg. Junior 3J / Youth III uses 8kg. Youth ranks are available for weight classes up to 58+kg only.
Men's weight classes for Biathlon, Long Cycle, and Snatch: 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 68kg, 73kg, (73+kg), 78kg, 85kg, (85+kg), 95kg, 105kg, 105+kg. The parenthesized classes (73+ and 85+) are used for Amateur/Youth tiers only in weight classes where Pr...
For international competitions such as IUKL World Championships and European Championships, a condensed 7-class system is used: 63kg, 68kg, 73kg, 78kg, 85kg, 95kg, 95+kg.
A fundamental design feature of the IUKL ranking system: the rank achieved is determined by the combination of reps AND the kettlebell weight used. At the same body weight class, the rep requirements for different ranks (CMS through Rank 3) are often...
IUKL uses its own unique ranking terminology with three tiers, each having three levels. From highest to lowest: Distinguished Professional (Gold breastplate, honorary), Deserved Professional (Gold breastplate, honorary), Professional I / I-PROFI (eq...
Rank registration costs 20 EUR with a member federation presentation, or 40 EUR without a member federation presentation.
Ranks are awarded based on presentation from IUKL member national federations or organizations. Athletes must attach proof: competition protocol or certified IUKL-IKSA course form. Registration cost: 20 EUR (with member presentation) or 40 EUR (witho...
If 2 or more athletes achieve identical results, advantage goes first to the competitor with the smaller body weight before performance, then to the competitor with the smaller body weight after performance, and finally by drawing lots.
The athlete must maintain contact with the platform at all times during the set. If any body part loses contact with the platform (stepping off), the 'Stop' command is issued and the set is terminated.
The participant is invited to the platform at least two minutes prior to the beginning of his/her flight. During the five-second countdown (5, 4, 3, 2, 1), the participant must be on the platform and ready to begin.
Athletes are not allowed to put the kettlebell down during the 10-minute period. If the kettlebell touches the platform at any point, the set is terminated with the 'Stop' command. All previously completed valid repetitions count as the athlete's sco...
The command 'Stop' terminates the athlete's performance. It is issued when: (1) a technical deficiency is observed (improper technique), (2) the kettlebell contacts the shoulder during snatch, (3) any body part loses contact with the platform (athlet...
Athletes may use a standard weightlifting belt with a width no more than 12 cm. The belt must be worn outside the competitive suit (not under the uniform).
Athletes' clothing should consist of one or two parts. Acceptable attire includes: bicycle/cyclist shorts, weightlifting body stockings (singlet), t-shirts, or vests. T-shirt sleeves must not cover the elbow joints. The belt may not be worn under the...
Sports footwear of any type is permitted. Unlike some other kettlebell sport organizations, IUKL does not specifically ban barefoot or open-toed shoes in their written rules, stating only that 'sports footwear can be any.'
Kneecaps (knee pads) and groin protection are permitted during competition.
The width of bandage wrapping on the knee must not exceed 25 cm. Bandage Maximum Length: Bandages used for wrist or knee wrapping must not exceed 1.5 meters in total length.
T-shirt sleeves must not cover the elbow joints. This ensures judges can verify arm lockout during overhead fixation.
Athletes may use bandages with a maximum length of 1.5 meters. The width of bandage wrapping on the wrist must not exceed 10 cm. The width of bandage wrapping on the knee (lap) must not exceed 25 cm. Kneecaps and groin protection are also permitted.
For preparation of kettlebells and hands, only magnesia (magnesium carbonate / chalk) is authorized. No other grip aids, substances, or liquids are permitted.
Competition kettlebells must have a ball (body) diameter of 210mm.
IUKL competition kettlebell color coding by weight: Yellow (16kg), Green (24kg), Red (32kg), Bronze (40kg). Note: The IUKL 2013 rules list only these four colors for the standard competition weights. Other organizations (such as IKO) define a more ex...
All competition kettlebells have standardized dimensions regardless of weight. Height: 280mm. Ball (body) diameter: 210mm. Handle diameter: 35mm. These are the same dimensions used across most international kettlebell sport organizations.
Competition kettlebells must have a handle diameter of 35mm.
Competition kettlebells must be 280mm in height, standardized across all weight categories.
IUKL standard competition kettlebell weights: 16kg, 24kg, 32kg, and 40kg. The AKA/IUKL ranking tables also include intermediate weights for different rank tiers: 8kg, 12kg, 20kg, and 28kg.
Competition kettlebells must not deviate from nominal weight by more than 100 grams. This is stricter than some organizations that allow +/- 1% tolerance.
IUKL competitions are conducted on platforms measuring not less than 1.5m x 1.5m. Spacing between platforms must ensure safety and allow unobstructed competition. This is slightly larger than some other organizations' minimum (e.g., IKO specifies 1.1...
At international competitions, two judges are assigned to each platform. For record authentication, not less than 3 judges of international category must be present.
The judge declares the repetition count as soon as all parts of the athlete's body become motionless (fixation achieved). The count is given only after confirming proper alignment, lockout, and fixation. The judge may submit 'To not consider' (no-cou...
The judge announces the athlete's final results loudly and clearly upon completion of the set. The result includes the total valid repetitions counted.
The kettlebell must be lifted in a continuous manner without stopping or adding additional pressing or pushing movements. Any pause, re-grip, or secondary push during the upward phase results in a no-count.
Fixation is defined as an 'accented, allocated, visible stop of kettlebells and sportsman.' Both the starting position and overhead (top) position require complete fixation before the judge counts the repetition. The judge declares the repetition cou...
At lockout, the hands (arms), trunk, and legs must all be straightened. The legs and kettlebell should be in line and parallel to the plane of the body. The athlete must be standing with full extension of knees, hips, and arms, with the kettlebell(s)...
Repetitions are marked invalid ('not considered') for: (1) Absence of fixation at starting or top position — the athlete and kettlebell do not become completely motionless. (2) Additional pressing or pushing movements during the lift — the bell must ...
After the judge's count at the overhead position, the athlete may lower the kettlebells back to the starting rack position by any method.
In Jerk (short cycle), men lift two kettlebells simultaneously. Both kettlebells must be jerked from rack to overhead lockout together, achieving fixation with both arms, trunk, and legs straightened.
If the athlete does not achieve complete fixation (visible stop of kettlebells and athlete) at either the starting rack position or the overhead lockout position, the repetition is not counted. Jerk No-Count — Additional Press: If the athlete adds a...
Jerk starting position: kettlebells fixed on the chest, arms pressed to the trunk, legs straightened. The athlete must achieve fixation in this starting position before initiating each repetition. The judge confirms the starting position before count...
A valid jerk repetition: from the rack position (kettlebells on chest, arms pressed to trunk, legs straight), the athlete drives the kettlebells overhead to full lockout with hands, trunk, and legs straightened. The legs and kettlebells should be in ...
Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): same rules as the Jerk, except the kettlebells are lowered to the hanging position (below, in lowered hands) after each repetition before the next clean to rack and jerk begins. The full sequence is: clean from hang to ra...
In Long Cycle, men lift two kettlebells simultaneously (one in each hand). Both kettlebells must be cleaned to rack and jerked overhead together.
In Long Cycle, women lift one kettlebell. Hand change rules apply as with snatch for one-arm events.
In Long Cycle, the 'Stop' command is issued when the kettlebell touches the platform. The kettlebells must remain in the athlete's hands throughout the entire 10-minute set — they may not be rested on the platform at any point.
The participant must swing the kettlebell in a continuous movement upward into the overhead position. The lift from below the knees to overhead lockout must be one unbroken movement. Any pause or additional press results in a no-count.
The athlete swings the kettlebell in one continuous movement upward from between the knees into the overhead position and fixates. Fixation is achieved when the kettlebell is in the overhead position and the arm, legs, and trunk are straightened. The...
During snatch, contact between the free hand and the body, platform, or kettlebell results in a no-count for that repetition. The free hand must remain clear at all times.
In snatch, change of hands is made once by any method. Only one arm switch is allowed during the entire 10-minute set. The switch can be made at any time during the set. The athlete may begin with either hand.
During snatch, the kettlebell must not contact the shoulder or rest in any form of rack position. If the kettlebell contacts the shoulder, the judge issues the 'To shift' command. This constitutes a violation and may result in a 'Stop' command termin...
If during snatch the kettlebell touches the shoulder (contacts rack-like position), the judge issues the command 'To shift'. This is a warning that the athlete has committed a violation. Repeated violations or deliberate racking results in the 'Stop'...
Biathlon consists of a set of jerks for 10 minutes, followed by at least 1 hour of rest, then a set of snatches for 10 minutes. The jerk set is always performed first. If the athlete achieves zero valid jerk repetitions, the biathlon is void (in some...
Men's biathlon: Jerk is performed with two kettlebells for 10 minutes, Snatch is performed with one kettlebell for 10 minutes. Jerk follows standard jerk rules; Snatch follows standard snatch rules including one hand change only.
A minimum rest period of 1 hour is required between the jerk set and the snatch set in biathlon competition.
Deserved Professional (Gold breastplate) is awarded for exceptional competitive achievement in championships: 5 or more World Championship titles, OR 7 or more combined World/Europe Championship titles, OR 10 or more Europe Championship titles.
Distinguished Professional (Gold breastplate) is awarded for exceptional competitive achievement in records: 5 or more World records, OR 7 or more combined World/Europe records, OR 10 or more Europe records. This is the highest honorary rank in the I...
IUKL uses a unique Professional/Amateur/Youth naming system instead of the traditional Russian sport ranking names. The mapping is: Professional I (I-PROFI) = MSIC, Professional II (II-PROFI) = MS, Professional III (III-PROFI) = CMS, Amateur I (I-AMA...
Men's Biathlon points required for Rank 1/Amateur I at 24kg: 48kg class = 50 pts, 53kg = 65, 58kg = 80, 63kg = 95, 68kg = 110, 73kg = 125, 78kg = 135, 85kg = 145, 85+kg = 147, 95kg = 155, 105kg = 160, 105+kg = 162.
Men's Biathlon points required for CMS/Professional III at 28kg: 53kg class = 65 pts, 58kg = 80, 63kg = 95, 68kg = 110, 73kg = 125, 78kg = 135, 85kg = 145, 85+kg = 147, 95kg = 155, 105kg = 160, 105+kg = 162.
Men's Biathlon points required for MS/Professional II at 32kg: 63kg class = 95 pts, 68kg = 110, 73kg = 125, 78kg = 135, 85kg = 145, 95kg = 155, 105kg = 160, 105+kg = 165. Not available for 48kg, 53kg, 58kg classes.
Men's Biathlon points required for MSIC/Professional I at 32kg: 63kg class = 145 pts, 68kg = 165, 73kg = 180, 78kg = 195, 85kg = 205, 95kg = 215, 105kg = 220, 105+kg = 222. Not available for 48kg, 53kg, 58kg classes.
Men's Biathlon points required for Youth I/1J at 20kg: 48kg class = 40 pts, 53kg = 55, 58kg = 69, 63kg = 84, 68kg = 99, 73kg = 114, 73+kg = 116. Youth biathlon not available for classes above 85+kg.
Men's Long Cycle reps required for Rank 1/Amateur I at 24kg: 48kg class = 16 reps, 53kg = 23, 58kg = 30, 63kg = 37, 68kg = 44, 73kg = 49, 78kg = 53, 85kg = 57, 85+kg = 59, 95kg = 60, 105kg = 62, 105+kg = 64.
Men's Long Cycle reps required for CMS/Professional III at 28kg: 53kg class = 23 reps, 58kg = 30, 63kg = 37, 68kg = 44, 73kg = 49, 78kg = 53, 85kg = 57, 85+kg = 59, 95kg = 60, 105kg = 62, 105+kg = 64.
Men's Long Cycle reps required for MS/Professional II at 32kg: 63kg class = 37 reps, 68kg = 44, 73kg = 49, 78kg = 53, 85kg = 57, 95kg = 60, 105kg = 62, 105+kg = 64. Not available for 48kg, 53kg, 58kg classes.
Men's Long Cycle reps required for MSIC/Professional I at 32kg: 63kg class = 48 reps, 68kg = 57, 73kg = 64, 78kg = 69, 85kg = 75, 95kg = 80, 105kg = 82, 105+kg = 85. Not available for 48kg, 53kg, 58kg classes.
Men's Long Cycle reps required for Youth I/1J at 20kg: 48kg class = 11 reps, 53kg = 18, 58kg = 25, 63kg = 32, 68kg = 39, 73kg = 44, 73+kg = 46. Youth long cycle not available for classes above 85+kg.
Men's Professional ranks (MSIC/MS/CMS or I-PROFI/II-PROFI/III-PROFI) are only available for weight classes 63kg and above. Athletes in the 48kg, 53kg, and 58kg classes cannot achieve Professional ranks — they compete at Amateur or Youth level only.
Men's Snatch reps required for Youth I/1J at 20kg: 48kg class = 38 reps, 53kg = 50, 58kg = 62, 63kg = 74, 68kg = 84, 73kg = 94, 73+kg = 98. Youth snatch not available for classes above 85+kg.
Men's Snatch reps required for Rank 1/Amateur I at 24kg: 48kg class = 58 reps, 53kg = 70, 58kg = 82, 63kg = 94, 68kg = 104, 73kg = 114, 73+kg = 118, 78kg = 124, 85kg = 132, 85+kg = 136, 95kg = 138, 105kg = 144, 105+kg = 148.
Men's Snatch reps required for MS/Professional II at 32kg: 63kg class = 94 reps, 68kg = 104, 73kg = 114, 78kg = 124, 85kg = 132, 95kg = 138, 105kg = 144, 105+kg = 148. Not available for 48kg, 53kg, 58kg classes.
Men's Snatch reps required for MSIC/Professional I at 32kg: 63kg class = 134 reps, 68kg = 144, 73kg = 154, 78kg = 164, 85kg = 172, 95kg = 178, 105kg = 184, 105+kg = 188. Not available for 48kg, 53kg, 58kg classes.
Men's Youth/Junior ranks (1J/2J/3J or I-YOUTH/II-YOUTH/III-YOUTH) are available for weight classes up to 85+kg only. Athletes in the 95kg, 105kg, and 105+kg classes cannot achieve Youth ranks — they compete at Amateur or Professional level only.
IUKL rankings are purely rep-based, with the kettlebell weight serving as a tier differentiator. There are no volume-based (total_kg) rankings in the IUKL system. This contrasts with organizations like IKLF/BOLT which use an IVSS volume-based scoring...
The IUKL ranking tables are based on the official IUKL Excel document (Razrjadnie_normativi_2014-2017-ENG.xls) available from giri-iukl.com/docs/sport-ranks, supplemented by the AKA/IUKL Rankings PDF which adds traditional naming and Junior categorie...
Women's Biathlon points required for Rank 1/Amateur I at 16kg: 47kg class = 144 pts, 50kg = 160, 53kg = 176, 58kg = 194, 58+kg = 200, 63kg = 212, 63+kg = 218, 68kg = 230, 68+kg = 236.
Women's Biathlon points required for MSIC/Professional I at 24kg: 53kg class = 208 pts, 58kg = 230, 63kg = 252, 68kg = 274, 68+kg = 280. Not available for 47kg, 50kg classes.
Women's Long Cycle reps required for Rank 1/Amateur I at 16kg: 47kg class = 72 reps, 50kg = 76, 53kg = 80, 58kg = 86, 58+kg = 90, 63kg = 92, 63+kg = 94, 68kg = 100, 68+kg = 104.
Women's Long Cycle reps required for MS/Professional II at 24kg: 53kg class = 80 reps, 58kg = 86, 63kg = 92, 68kg = 100, 68+kg = 104. Not available for 47kg, 50kg classes.
Women's Long Cycle reps required for MSIC/Professional I at 28kg: 53kg class = 80 reps, 58kg = 86, 63kg = 92, 68kg = 100, 68+kg = 104. Not available for 47kg, 50kg classes.
Women's Snatch reps required for Rank 1/Amateur I at 16kg: 47kg class = 70, 50kg = 80, 53kg = 90, 58kg = 100, 58+kg = 104, 63kg = 110, 63+kg = 114, 68kg = 120, 68+kg = 130.
Women's Snatch reps required for MS/Professional II at 24kg: 53kg class = 90 reps, 58kg = 100, 63kg = 110, 68kg = 120, 68+kg = 130. Not available for 47kg, 50kg classes.
Women's Snatch reps required for MSIC/Professional I at 24kg: 53kg class = 110 reps, 58kg = 120, 63kg = 130, 68kg = 140, 68+kg = 150. Not available for 47kg, 50kg classes.
A doctor on duty is part of the organizational structure at IUKL competitions. Medical staff must be present and available throughout the duration of the competition to attend to any injuries or medical emergencies.
Athletes found in violation of anti-doping provisions face penalties up to and including a lifetime ban from all competition across every sports discipline, both Olympic and non-Olympic. IUKL follows WADA guidelines for testing, therapeutic use exemp...
IUKL became a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code on August 14, 2015. IUKL is listed on the WADA website as the only kettlebell lifting organization that has signed the Code. For those who infringe doping provisions, a penalty may be imposed exte...
Records are authenticated only at official IUKL-scheduled competitions with not less than 3 judges of international category present. The competition must be sanctioned by IUKL. Records are registered in the IUKL official record book and published on...
Official website: https://giri-iukl.com