The pentathlon is a creation of Valery Fedorenko, the living legend of the world's kettlebell sport (youngest world champion in history) 

Valery Fedorenko is a Russian world record kettlebell lifter and coach who founded the World Kettlebell Club in 2006. While competing in Kettlebell lifting, Fedorenko achieved the title of "Honored Master of Sport", which is the sport's highest level of recognized skil.

Stephane Dauvergne, the founding president of IKMF, has received permission from Valery Fedorenko to organize the IKMF World Pentathlon Championships.

Here are the basic mechanics of it

There are 5 disciplines performed in a set order. The 5 disciplines are:

1.Clean

2.Long cycle press (clean and press)

3.Jerk

4.Half snatch

5.Push press

• Each discipline is carried out for 6 minutes.
• Multiple hand changes are allowed
• There is a 5-minute break after each discipline
• There is a maximum repetition (rep) count for each discipline. These are only maximums and a sub-maximum number will not be penalised

The maximum rep counts are as follows. These are deemed as realistic numbers that can be achieved within the given time constraints and with good form. No additional points are scored for reps over the preset maximum.

• Cleans 120 reps
• Long cycle press 60 reps
• Jerks 120 reps
• Half snatch 108 reps
• Push press 120 reps

The competitors are allowed to choose a maximum of 5 different weights for their kettlebells. Those bells can then be used for whatever discipline they choose. No changing of the weight is allowed once the athlete starts that particular discipline and no setting the weight down until the 6 minutes are up. If the weight is set down whilst there is still time left on the clock, the set is ended but all reps will count up to the point when the bell was placed down. Also, if the competitor hits maximum reps whilst still having time on the clock, the kettlebell will be put down and that competitor will gain additional rest. However, by and large, with correct form and proper judging, this is unlikely to happen.

• 8 kg = 1 point
• 12 kg = 1.5 points
• 16 kg = 2 points
• 20 kg = 2.5 points
• 24 kg = 3 points
• 28 kg = 3.5 points
• 32 kg = 4 points
• 36 kg = 4.5 points
• 40 kg = 5 points

This continues right up to 72 kg! Intermittent weights such as the 10, 14 and 18 can also be included with the additional values of .25 so a 14 would be worth 1.75

If the competitor performs 100 reps with the 24 kg bell in the half snatch then this is worth 100 (reps) x 3 (points) = 300 points

All five scores are added up in this way to create a total score.

There are currently 3 weight classes each for men and women.

These are

- 3 AGE CATEGORIES 

Open class , Veteran 1 ( 40-49years ) and Veterant 2 (50-59years)

Men

• - 75 kg
• 75kg-85kg
• +85 

Women

• - 60 kg
• 60kg-70kg
• + 70kg

This article hasn’t the space to go into the detail of all the disciplines required but here is a brief description including details of what the official will be looking for in each lift.

The Clean

The kettlebell is cleaned to the rack position.

The judge will want to see

• There has to be a moment of fixation in the rack position.

The clean and press

The kettlebell is cleaned to the rack position and then pressed overhead

.The judge will want to see

• A clear separation of the clean and the press. There must be a moment of stillness once the rack is achieved.
• There must be no knee bend prior to the press. This is a strict press only.
• The kettlebell must fixate at the top of the movement with no wobble or sway
• There must be good alignment

Jerk

From the racked position, the knees are dipped and then straightened to drive up the kettlebell before catching the kettlebell at the top of the movement with a second dip of the knees. You then straighten the legs to complete the rep.

The judge will want to see

• There needs to be solid fixation at the top of the movement with good alignment
• Fixation in the racked position.
• No push press. The bell must be caught at the top position with a straight arm

Half snatch

Unlike the full snatch movement, the half snatch is lowered from the overhead position to the rack position before lowering for a back swing into another rep.

The judge will want to see

• There needs to be a rack position on the way back down (a stop and go)
• There is solid fixation at the top of each rep with good alignment
• The bell is caught at the top position with a straight arm.

Push press

From the rack position, you dip your knees and drive the bell up to the overhead position. Your heels must stay in contact with the floor.

The judge will want to see

• Good fixation and alignment.
• Checking your heels stay flat on the floor.
• That you don’t bounce out of rack straight into another rep