USA Kettlebell Sport Lifting stands as a beacon for athletes and enthusiasts of Kettlebell Sport Lifting across the country. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our primary mission is to promote, advance, and unify the thrilling Sport of Kettlebell Lifting in the USA. Beyond domestic realms, we are ardently dedicated to nurturing a vibrant USA Kettlebell Lifting Team—a group of qualified athletes—ready to make their mark on the international stage under the auspices of The International Union of Kettlebell Lifting, a prestigious governing body with Observer Status in world competitions. Our achievements have been significant and manifold. Notably, we've successfully secured recognition from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and have now forged a promising collaboration with AAU Strength Sports. This synergy is poised to further propel the stature and development of kettlebell sport lifting in the nation. One of the cornerstones of our organization is our commitment to athletes' international aspirations. We organize events, such as the USA Kettlebell Sport Nationals, with the dual aim of promoting the sport and gathering resources. Registration fees from these events, along with our membership fee, play a pivotal role in this mission. Unlike many sports, kettlebell lifting does not recieve governmental subsidization. Hence, these funds are crucially channeled to support our lifters as they journey to compete in International Championships. But at the heart of it all is a larger vision—to unite the lifters of The United States of America. In a sport that demands individual prowess, our collective strength lies in unity, passion, and shared aspirations. We are here to be the binding thread, celebrating every lift, every athlete, and every milestone together.

USA KETTLEBELL SPORT LIFTING EVENT CALENDAR

🔥 MIDWEST REGIONALS 2024

  • 🗓️ When: March 15-17th, 2024

  • 📍 Where: KETTLEBELL HOT SPOT ATHLETIC TRAINING CENTER
    7851 Spring Arbor Rd, Spring Arbor, MI 49283

  • 📋 Details: All Kettlebell Sport 10 min, male and female, amateur, professional, and veteran one arm and two arm lifts are included. 12 min military Snatch also available. AAU sanctioned. Qualifying event for 2024 USA Team to Korfu, Greece, Oct 10-14th, 2024.

🔥 USKSL NATIONALS AND PAN AMERICAN GAMES 2024

  • 🗓️ When: June 21-23rd, 2024

  • 📍 Where: SHERATON ANN ARBOR HOTEL AND VENUE
    3200 Boardwalk Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

  • 📋 Details: All Kettlebell Sport 10 min categories included. 12 min military Snatch also available. Membership fees support IUKL World Championship travelers. Qualifying event for 2024 USA Team to Korfu, Greece, Oct 10-14th, 2024.

🔥 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) World Championships 2024

  • 🗓️ When: September 27-29th, 2024

  • 📍 Where: Harrah’s Laughlin Beach Resort & Casino
    2900 S. Casino Dr. Laughlin, NV 89029 (Consider Caesars Air for direct transport from Las Vegas airport)

🔥 IUKL World Championships 2024

  • 🗓️ When: October 10-14th, 2024

  • 📍 Where: Island of Korfu, Greece (Exact location TBA)

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A RENEWED USA TEAM

Kettlebell Sport Lifting's roots are firmly planted in Russian and Soviet history. These tried and true training techniques arrived on American soil in 2000 when Valery Fedorenko created the World Kettlebell Club (WKC). Hosting demonstrations and competitions around the United States, he generated interest and curiosity in the sport and facilitated a community of likeminded lifters to further the sport as well as introducing new lifters into the ranks. As more training facilities and coaches incorporated kettlebell into their regimen, more options were available for programing and competitions. Federenko, a world class champion from Kyrgyzstan, was the seed of inspiration that allowed Kettlebell Sport Lifting to sprout and begin to thrive in the US.


This same seed of inspiration took root in Rhonda Glick after she attended the 2008 World Kettlebell Club Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted by Federenko and Moses Dungca. Having received her 'Art of Strength' Certification from Anthony Diluglio the year before, Rhonda's passion for competition, her urge for fitness and her love of Kettlebell Sport were the motivating forces behind her desire to compete against and mingle with other Kettlebell Sport athletes. It lit the spark that drove her to open her own facility in 2008, specifically designed to train Kettlebell athletes as well as the general public in Kettlebell fitness. Located in Michigan, the hub of Kettlebell Sport and appropriately named 'Kettlebell Hotspot', her intent was to make connections with other lifters and join the kettlebell sport lifting community. She offered classes and worked tirelessly to bring attention to the qualities of Kettlebell Sport Lifters while she attended competitions and networked with International coaches from around the World.


Her hard work paid off in 2010, when Sergei Rudnev, Sergei Merklin, Alexandr Khostov and Alexandr Kashin spent 2 weeks at her gym, offering training and education in kettlebell lifting to attendees along with Kettlebell Sport and Judges certification classes. Kettlebell Hot Spot also has provided kettlebell juggling courses as well. With these certifications, it allowed her to train and coach athletes to compete regionally, nationally and internationally as well as host IKSFA sanctioned competitions at her facility. In 2012 the facility, Kettlebell Hot Spot, was named the first International IKSFA Training center in the United States.


In her drive to further the sport, Rhonda and her athletes have attended IUKL World's with American Kettlebell Alliance and Yuri Petronov. Assisting the growth of the USA Kettlebell Sport Lifting Teams for IUKL in the USA and to this date of December 28th, 2019 as a coach, she has fielded a cumulative total of 17 athletes to the US teams who competed at IUKL World competition since 2014. To add to her credentials, she is a certified IKSFA Judge and apprenticed at the IUKL World Championships in Dublin, Ireland, 2015 having judged over 20 International Kettlebell Sport Competitions to date.

Founded in 1992, IUKL has gained representative ship in over 60 countries encompassing all Continents. Their vision for Kettlebell Sport Lifting was clear and in October of 2018, IUKL’s work toward this vision was granted and the opportunity to further Kettlebell Sport through Observer Status was approved. Memberships with TAFISA, WADA and GAISF Observer Status allows new International Sport Federations to take advantage of the GAISF network to grow and develop Kettlebell Sport in each IUKL Federation on many platforms on the journey to full inclusion in the Olympic games.


After the 2018 World's in Latvia, the IUKL Board formally requested a change in leadership for the USA IUKL Representative and removed Yuri Petronov/AKA, from his position in the board, as well as all titles of IUKL/USA Representative. To replace this position required new leadership and the position was offered to Ms. Glick. No light task, the position required a tremendous amount of work including the establishment of a new, USA non-profit organization to recruit, oversee and fund a team to represent the US nationally and abroad, promote the sport of kettlebell lifting and work with the IUKL towards full Olympic inclusion. Rhonda established the USKSL (United States Kettlebell Sport Lifting) as a non-profit corporation under the guidance of the IOC Legal department to achieve these goals and began the monumental pursuit of bringing the Olympic dream to all qualified kettlebell lifters in the United States.
Her first endeavors were to create a Board and the Articles of Incorporation for the non-profit (USKSL), develop the team qualification process, rewrite the rules and regulations for cohesiveness and clarity in accordance with IUKL and find ways to network outreach and promote the sport which included the development of a website and social media presence. The USKSL hosted the 2019 US National Team Qualifier in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for athletes to earn a position on the US Team going to 2019 World's in Serbia. More than 75 lifters attended to earn a spot on the team and 50 qualified.


Twice during this past year, Rhonda represented IUKL/USA bringing her enthusiasm and expertise to The SportAccord Gold Coast as well as the Inaugural Pan-American Sport Accord. The PanAm Sport Accord, held in Florida in December, also generated recognition and advancement of the sport. Developing the sport of kettlebell lifting in the US requires building relationships within communities to foster an understanding of the positive benefits of kettlebell lifting overall. Events like the Sport Accord draw thousands of attendees and can help spread information or gain another fan. Accessibility is crucial for athletes to properly and regularly train and compete. Rhonda's work is only beginning, Olympic inclusion is at the forefront of her goal for the USKSL and more importantly, the IUKL.


From helping to achieve Observation status at the Olympics, to developing and implementing a youth kettlebell sport program with Moses Dungca, Rhonda Glick has taken her love of kettlebell and persuaded excellence, as a competitor, athlete coach, Team Coach, IUKL Representative and certified judge, using her experience and knowledge to further develop kettlebell sport in the youth population. Proper equipment is second only to proper form as the most crucial component to any form of lifting and Moses Dungca has been instrumental in developing a specially designed competition kettlebell for youths. Available in 2kg, 4kg and 6kg weights along with a transition kettlebell for those youths needing something in between a youth and an adult kettlebell, these bells are great for Veterans as well as youth and beginner Kettlebell lifters. Incorporating more programs and competitions that attract youth lifters is a great way for USKSL to utilize their social media skills and add followers and attract attention to the sport. Youth lifters can greatly benefit in conversing with and watching seasoned lifters perform at competitions and veterans can give advice and training insight to the amateurs. It's a win-win situation for all and fosters an environment of camaraderie and support for lifters all the while raising awareness of and growing the sport of kettlebell.


That one seed of inspiration planted by Valery Fedorenko all those years ago, has given rise to a blossoming kettlebell sport community. While kettlebell medals are won as an individual competition, the unifying factor for all lifters is their love of the sport and competition. It's this love that furthers the same goal for all, the ability to compete at the Olympics for a medal, the chance to represent your country on the pedestal and the recognition of perseverance, dedication, training and tenacity.

The mission of USA Kettlebell Sport Lifting is to develop the Kettlebell Sport and Fitness in the United States to all ages and backgrounds. Along with the above, is to achieve a United Team as well as sustained International and Olympic competitive success . Fostering a shared commitment to safety, integrity, unity and the joy of Kettlebell Sport Lifting.