2023 Canadian Nationals

This is meant to clarify questions related to qualifications for Team Canada for the 2023 calendar year. Please submit any questions or requests for further clarifications through the official email channel at admin@cka-sport.org 

In 2023, the Canadian Kettlebell Alliance is responsible for fielding a team to represent Canada at both World Championship competitions.   

• World Kettlebell Sport Federation (WKSF) World Championships; 
• International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL) World Championships.

The CKA has 2 official qualifying competitions for Team Canada in the 2023 calendar year - In Person will be required to qualify for The 2023 Team Canada Roster. 

• Western - April 1 – Victoria BC  
• Eastern - August 12 - Oakville ON 

Between these two events Team Canada will be selected. 

Any Athlete that wishes to qualify for Team Canada MUST attend in person, be a CKA member for 2023 and submit the Team Canada application at the Lifters meeting held directly after The Canadian Qualifier Events. 

Please note: all weight categories and bell weights listed in the following tables are reflective of standards and regulations from the separate international organizations. All information is based on what has been provided as of January 2023 to the Canadian Kettlebell Alliance and may be subject to change.

A. Team Canada Criteria for Professional/Elite Lifters 

The WKSF allows two (2) Professionals per weight category, per event, from each country to compete in their World Championships. The IUKL allows one (1) Professional per weight category, per event, from each country to compete in their World  Championships. 

In order to send the most competitive team possible for travel overseas, the CKA wishes to select athletes that can demonstrate professional-level proficiency in lifting. With this in mind, the CKA will consider the Professional athletes for Team Canada who meet the following mandatory criteria, in the following order: 

1. Athlete wins their category at Canadian Nationals* (WKSF and IUKL), 
2. Athlete places 2nd in their category at Canadian Nationals* (WKSF only), 
3. Athlete’s Canadian Nationals competition score is at least 75% of AKA Rank of Master of Sport OR the athlete already holds an AKA Rank of Master of  Sport. 

*Canadian Nationals will be a combined score of all competitors from the  Eastern and Western Qualifying events.  

B. Team Canada Criteria for Amateur Lifters 

Both the WKSF and IUKL allow an unlimited number of Amateur lifters per weight category, per event, from each country to compete in their World Championships. As a result, the CKA will consider the Amateur athletes for Team Canada who meet the following mandatory criteria: 

1. The Athlete must compete in the event at either Qualifier that they want  to lift at the World Championships. Lifting a heavier bell (i.e.: 28kg for  men; 20kg for women) does not qualify the lifter for an Amateur Lifter spot on Team Canada, if the weight being lifted at Worlds is a 24kg and 16kg,  respectively. Additional criteria used to select Amateur Athletes is listed in the following order: 1.Athlete places Top 3 in their Amateur category at Canadian Nationals*, 
2. Qualifier competition score is at least 85% of Rank 1 category in that event. 

C. Team Canada Criteria for Veteran Lifters 

Both the WKSF and IUKL allow an unlimited number of veteran lifters per weight category, per event, from each country to compete in their World Championships. In order for veterans to demonstrate proficiency for overseas representation, the CKA requires  all Veteran lifters to qualify for Team Canada by: 

1. Competing in either the Open or Veteran category at Canadian Nationals*, 
2. Competing with a kettlebell either the same weight or heavier as the one lifted at a World Competition.

D. Other Related Information: 

1. Team Canada will be selected by the CKA Board, 
2. All expenses of travel, accommodations, visas, covid testing and any other required documents for travel will be at the expense of the Athlete, 
3. The CKA Board will take care of the collection and organization of the  registration of Team Canada for all Athletes. No team member should  contact the WKSF or IUKL directly, this communication will be done by CKA  Board Members only, 
4. Fundraising for Athlete travel and uniform is permitted by the CKA, via forums such  as Go Fund Me, etc., 
5. It is the responsibility to make the bodyweight that the Athlete wishes to compete in at the World Championships when competing at the Eastern or Western  Qualifier. It is important for each Athlete to understand that the weight category  that they qualified in is the ONLY weight category they will be qualified to compete in  at the World Championships. If an Athlete is UNDER or OVER the registered weight  during weigh-ins at either World Championship, this will result in a disqualification, 
6. Upon selection to Team Canada, the CKA will provide the Athlete a Code of Conduct Contract that each Athlete is responsible to sign should they wish to represent Team Canada. Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct during travel overseas may preclude the Athlete from future Team Canada selection. 
7. Depending on host countries visa requirement, we may require anyone looking to qualify for the World Championships to provide a high definition  colour copy of their passport no later than April 30th, 2023 to the CKA  Board. These will be forwarded for all qualifying and interested Athletes to  hopefully ensure enough time to get approval 
8. The Team Canada Uniform is mandatory. The cost of the uniform is the responsibility of the Team Canada Athlete and will be available for purchase through CKA 

E. Covid Pandemic Information:.

it is the Athletes responsibility to know: 

1. ALL requirements, rules and regulations of the host country where the World              Championships will be held regarding Covid, 
2. ALL testing requirements and isolation procedures of the host country where the World Championships will be held, 
3. ALL return requirements with regards to testing, as well as emergency plans in case a positive test requires the Athlete to isolate in the host country, 
4. ALL costs associated with covid procedures, travel requirements, testing  or isolation associated costs, whether within Canada or abroad will be the  full responsibility of the Athlete, 

GOOD LUCK!