All 114 competition rules from World Kettlebell Sport Federation (WKSF), organized by category.
Male competitors may compete in: Two Arms Long Cycle (2 x Kettlebells), Biathlon (Jerk 2 x Kettlebells + Snatch 1 x Kettlebell), Only Snatch (1 x Kettlebell with 1 change of hands allowed, available at Amateurs + Masters), One Arm Long Cycle (1 x Ket...
Female competitors may compete in: Two Arms Long Cycle (2 x Kettlebells), Biathlon (Jerk 2 x Kettlebells + Snatch 1 x Kettlebell), Only Snatch (1 x Kettlebell), One Arm Long Cycle (1 x Kettlebell), 12 minutes Snatch (1 x Kettlebell with free change o...
Use of the coefficient (CO) is only used in a body weight category that has less than 3 athletes. Athletes in an incomplete weight class must be merged into a higher body weight category class. If there exists a gap higher than two upper distance cat...
Competition durations available: 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes (Classic), 12 minutes (Snatch), 30 minutes (Half Marathon), 60 minutes (Marathon), and 3+ hours (Ultra Marathon).
Kettlebell lifting competitions are divided into individual-scored challenges, team-scored challenges, and summation-scored challenges.
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 o...
Position 1-10 receive 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 points respectively. Positions 11-12 receive 10, 9 points. Positions 13+ receive descending points 8 through 1, then 0.
At equality of quantity of rises: 1) advantage is received by the athlete having a smaller body weight before performance, 2) then by lighter body weight after performance, 3) then by coin toss.
Jerk / Long Cycle: 1 point per rep. Snatch (one arm): Total reps = left hand + right hand (1 point each). Biathlon score: Jerk reps x 1 + Snatch reps x 0.5. Example: 60 jerks + 120 snatches = 60 + 60 = 120 biathlon points. If Jerk score = 0, the athl...
StrongSport is a discipline available on WKSF to include in each event. Athletes lift heavier kettlebells than on standard regulations. Males: 32kg to 48kg. Females: 24kg to 32kg. The discipline can be promoted with 1 or 2 Kettlebells. When using two...
Young and Junior competitors (U15, U18) are restricted to Biathlon and Two Arms Long Cycle only.
Disabled (D): Absolute weight category. Men use 16kg, Women use 8kg.
Master Men age brackets: 40-49 (24kg), 50-59 (24kg), 60-69 (16kg), 70-74 (16kg), 75+ (12kg).
Master Women age brackets: 35-44 (16kg), 45-54 (16kg), 55-64 (12kg), 65+ (8kg).
Senior (SE): Athletes aged 23 and above.
Students (ST): Absolute weight category. Men use 24kg, Women use 16kg.
Children (U15): Athletes aged 14 to 15.
Young (U18): Athletes aged 16 to 18.
Junior Under 22 (U22): Athletes aged 19 to 22.
Age is determined by birth year only; day and month are irrelevant.
MSEC (Master of Sport Elite Class): Highest achievable rank, only with heaviest kettlebell. MS (Master of Sport): Elite level, only with heaviest kettlebell. CMS (Candidate Master of Sport): Advanced level, achievable with both kettlebell weights. Ra...
Men's weight classes for one-kettlebell events (Snatch 10/12 min, One Arm Long Cycle 10 min, Marathon): up to 74 kg, up to 87 kg, over 87 kg.
Women's weight classes for one-kettlebell events (Snatch 10/12 min, One Arm Long Cycle 10 min, Marathon): up to 58 kg, up to 65 kg, over 65 kg.
Men's weight classes for two-kettlebell events (Long Cycle 10 min, Biathlon 10 min): up to 63 kg, up to 68 kg, up to 74 kg, up to 80 kg, up to 87 kg, up to 95 kg, over 95 kg.
Women's weight classes for two-kettlebell events (Long Cycle 10 min, Biathlon 10 min): up to 52 kg, up to 58 kg, up to 65 kg, up to 75 kg, over 75 kg.
Athletes must send a Pre-registration form for the competition at least 30 days before the event.
Athletes must be weighed before relay race participation.
Weighing-in is spent only before the competition in an authorized location supervised by judges. Weighing is provided by judges only. Weighing-in operation has to be done only with underwear or swimming clothes.
Athlete can ask for help to prepare his own kettlebell before starting. Only magnesium chalk is permitted.
Athletes must be correct and polite with other competitors, spectators, and judges.
In case of breaking standard rules or public order, the judges can decide to disqualify the athlete.
It is strictly forbidden to use any kind of adaptations that can help the lifts.
Athlete cannot speak or discuss with the competition judge during his performance without disqualification risk.
Penalties during competition are enforced through a Yellow Card and Red Card system. Details in the official WKSF Penalties document (Punches-during-competition-Yellow-Red-card.pdf).
Rules and regulations must be fully known by all the athletes.
Maximum of 12 cm in the back part, maximum of 6 cm on the front, with a maximum thickness of the belt of 1.5 cm. On the belt are not allowed to wear any other bandages or patches.
Allowed: weightlifting bodysuit, t-shirt/vest, shorts over knees. T-shirt sleeves should not cover elbow joints. The team should be dressed in the same way.
Simple training shoes or weightlifting shoes.
Knee wraps: Maximum width of 25 cm (length unlimited).
Muslim women are permitted: Long Tights up to their feet, Tie-wrapped arms, Hands, and head clothed.
Wrist wraps: Maximum width of 12 cm (length unlimited).
A certificate on the conformity of the equipment should be made before the competition starts.
WKSF standard kettlebell colors by weight: 8kg = Blue, 12kg = Brown, 16kg = Yellow, 20kg = Violet, 24kg = Green, 28kg = Orange, 32kg = Red, 36kg = Grey, 40kg = White, 48kg = Gold.
Standard competition kettlebell dimensions: Height 280mm, ball diameter 210mm, handle diameter 34mm, internal handle height 55mm, distance from handle to ball 123mm.
Weight of kettlebells should not vary more than 100 grams less or more than the standard weight.
Permitted kettlebell weights: 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 48 kg.
Platform size: 1.5m x 1.5m.
StrongSport discipline uses heavier kettlebells than standard regulations. Males: 32kg to 48kg. Females: 24kg to 32kg. Open and beginner events may use lighter kettlebells depending on the specific competition. The discipline can be promoted with 1 o...
Electronic counting and timer system must be installed for visibility. Cameras must be installed to ensure the impartiality and objectivity of the judges. An electronic board for counting and information is required.
The Head Judge supervises the work of the judiciary board and bears the responsibility of managing discipline and safety, creation of equal conditions. Must hold meetings before and during the competition. Must present a written report within 15 days...
The Judge Speaker declares all the decisions, informs spectators and participants about results.
Main Judiciary Board consists of: Head judge, Head secretary, Individual judges per platform, Secretaries for reports, Judge speaker, Technical control assigner. In relation to the number of athletes (more than 30 people), the number of judges can be...
Judges on platform provide to count loudly every repetition and sign them correctly. Decides via 'DO NOT COUNT' command for invalid reps.
In the structure of a judiciary, the board should be no less than three judges of the international category for record registration.
The Technical Controller checks conformity of structures, safety, places of warm-up, kettlebells, judges' signal system, and chronometers. Verifies kettlebell weights and parameters and makes certificates about their conformity.
Each correctly executed rise is accompanied by the account of the judge. The judge declares the account as soon as all parts of the body of the sportsman become motionless.
The sportsman who cannot straighten elbows completely should inform on it judges before the performance.
Fixation is the accented allocated, visible stop of kettlebells and the sportsman. During the moment of fixing of kettlebells in the top position, hands, trunks, and legs should be straightened. Legs and kettlebells should be on one line in parallel ...
At infringement of requirements, the judge on scaffold submits commands 'To not consider' (Do Not Count) or 'Stop.'
Participant who has arrived late for a scaffold is not supposed to be counted.
At contact with any part of the body of the scaffold (platform), the command 'Stop' is submitted.
If participant raises kettlebell before 'Start' command, the judge submits 'Stop, to put kettlebell on scaffold.'
For 2 minutes prior to the beginning of the exercise, the participant is invited to the platform.
On the performance of exercise, time of 10 minutes is given (standard Classic event).
Five seconds prior to the start, readout of control time is made: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 second. Then the command 'Start' moves.
After a command 'Start,' the participant is obliged to start to carry out exercises.
After 10 minutes, the command 'Stop' is submitted, after which rises are not set (not counted).
The judge-secretary, through every minute, declares control of time.
During the moment of fixing of kettlebells in the top position, hands, trunks, and legs should be straightened. Legs and kettlebells should be on one line in parallel to a plane of the body.
After fixing in the top position and account of the judge, the participant lowers the kettlebells in starting position in any way.
DO NOT COUNT when: 1) Lifting movement is carried out with a break, 2) When kettlebells alternate (right and left), 3) When the kettlebells do not hold down simultaneously, 4) Lack of technical stop in the rack position, 5) Lack of fixation over the ...
Lack of technical stop in the rack position results in a 'Do Not Count.'
Kettlebells are fixed on a chest, arms are pressed to the trunk, and legs are straightened.
STOP command is triggered when: 1) Kettlebells are resting on the shoulder joints (except at the beginning), 2) When kettlebells fall below the level of the belt, 3) When the athlete leaves the platform.
Long Cycle must be executed according to Jerk rules, bringing the kettlebells to the dead point behind the knees after each raise. Oscillatory thrust towards the dead point and the rack position return can only be performed once per raise.
Oscillatory thrust towards the dead point and the rack position return can only be performed once per raise. More than one oscillation results in a STOP command.
STOP is triggered when: 1) Kettlebells are held 'dangling' between the legs to rest, 2) More than one oscillation in the step of passing to the dead point, 3) Kettlebells rest on the platform, 4) Kettlebell leans on the shoulder, 5) Athlete descends ...
Exercise SNATCH must be performed in a single fluid motion. Athlete should lift the kettlebell without stopping at the fixing position over the head. Swing down and uphill can only be performed once.
Extra oscillation (double oscillation) is permitted after changing hands, before first fixing with the new hand.
At the moment of fixation, the arms, legs, and torso should be loose (straightened), and the kettlebell and the athlete must stop.
Only one change of hand is allowed in the 10-minute snatch. It is not allowed to make a swing in the initial stage with the START command. If the athlete, after the START command, does ONE SWING, the judge gives the CHANGE OF HAND command. If the ath...
In the 12-minute snatch, unlimited (free) hand changes are allowed.
After fixation, the athlete must bring down the kettlebell to perform a new raise.
It is not allowed to touch the kettlebell with any part of the body other than the hand with which it is being held.
DO NOT COUNT when: 1) Movement is performed by press technique, 2) Lack of fixation, 3) Free arm or any other part of the body touches the platform, legs, or arm engaged in the hoist, 4) Free hand touches the kettlebell while moving it upwards.
STOP is triggered when: 1) Kettlebell leans on the shoulder, 2) Kettlebell leans on the platform (oscillation contact excluded), 3) Athlete descends from the platform, 4) Kettlebell is left in the 'dangling' legs to rest, 5) More than one oscillation...
Biathlon consists of Jerk (10 min with 2 x Kettlebells) performed first, followed by Snatch (10 min with 1 x Kettlebell), with a rest period between.
For one-arm exercises: Score is made by the sum of the repetitions made with both arms (1 point for each).
Final score for the biathlon is made by the sum of two exercises, jerk, and snatch. Jerk reps x 1 + Snatch reps x 0.5. Score for Snatch is the sum of repetitions made with both arms. If the points in Jerk or Snatch are 0, the final score cannot be co...
Marathon disciplines offered: One Arm Long Cycle, One Arm Jerk, Snatch. Available in both 30 min (Half Marathon) and 60 min (Marathon) formats.
Rules for doing the Exercises are the same as in the classical ones. Only a multiple-hand change is allowed. The Half Marathon discipline is a 30-minute competition. The Marathon discipline is a 60-minute competition. The discipline is performed with...
In Marathon Jerk: Arm can be changed only by lowering the kettlebell halfway through the legs and brought to the rack position. Free arm must not touch the tool for rack position.
In Marathon Long Cycle: 1) Arm change can be carried out with a swing, 2) Arm change can be carried out with a two-arm swing and is brought to rack position from dead center only with one arm, 3) Arm change can be made downhill from fixation at any p...
On Marathon discipline, there is no Team Relay Race competition.
In Marathon Snatch: 1) Arm change can be carried out with a swing, 2) Arm change can be carried out with a two-arm swing and is carried overhead from a dead center only with one arm, 3) Arm change can be made downhill from fixation at any point, 4) I...
Technical assistance is carried out every 10 minutes (speaker judge announces to enter competition area assistants). Assistant can serve the athlete for 3 minutes (give water, towel, magnesium). During assistance, an athlete must not have contact wit...
UltraMarathon is a discipline provided for in the federation's statutes. The UM discipline is a long course competition non-stop and can be promoted in a 3-hour competition or even more. Whenever they are promoted, the WKSF Discipline Commission anno...
Relay races are composed of Jerk and Long Cycle per team format specifications. Usually included in Classic 10-minute events only (not in Marathon or Half Marathon).
Participant who has finished a stage should put kettlebell on a platform. To the participant of the previous stage who has fixed the kettlebells after a command 'Change,' rises are not set off (not counted).
Account is conducted in general, with an accruing (cumulative) result. Command-winner is defined by the greatest quantity of rises. At equality of quantity of rises, advantage is received with the command having a smaller body weight.
15 seconds before the start of the next stage, the judge participants deduce the following sportsmen. 5 seconds prior to the termination of the next stage, the report of control time is made: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Transfer of relay race is made on a command...
Before beginning, participants are built on representation on commands, on stages. 5 seconds prior to the start, readout of control time is made: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Then the command 'Start' to participants of the first stage is submitted.
Performance of exercises on stages begins with easy (light) weight categories.
Team representatives, coaches, and doctors may be present in the anti-doping control area but not in the bath. Media cannot be present in the control area.
The federation may report violations to media and public following final test outcomes.
Anti-doping control is carried out in pre-arranged spaces that are suitable for accommodating athletes, with adequate number of baths for men and women, respecting principles of personal privacy.
The competition jury determines test numbers. Athletes must be alerted in oral or written form. Alerted athletes must present themselves in the area of biological sampling immediately after their performance.
If the athlete does not show or refuses to be tested, the outcome is identified as POSITIVE.
Athletes provide a sample (urine or blood) in a special, naked container in the presence of an authorized representative. Anti-doping control officer must be of the same sex as the athlete. The officer must monitor the urine flow from the athlete's g...
Use of substances prohibited by WADA and the refusal to be tested makes disciplinary sanctions possible, including payment of money and prohibition of participation in tenders for a definite period, or lifetime disqualification. Sanctioned athlete is...
Anti-Doping control is part of the competition and can be performed in any event and during the training period per WADA guidelines. At minimum, the top finisher in each category and discipline is tested. Plans include testing all medalists as resour...
WKSF is actively pursuing recognition from the World Anti-Doping Agency. The organization has committed to implementing medical and anti-doping controls at major competitions, including World Championships, following WADA standards. Disciplinary deci...
Registration of World Records is only subject to Doping Control at this Competition.
Records and the maximum achievements among Elite Senior Men & Women, Master Men & Women, Children, Young, Junior are registered only at the competitions included in the official schedule of sports actions of WKSF.
Official website: https://wksf.site