Kettlebell World Championship comes to Syracuse later this month

WAER | By Scott Willis

Published May 7, 2026 at 5:58 PM EDT

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Athletes compete at the 2025 IKMF World Championships in Cegléd, Hungary.

The first Kettlebell World Championship to ever be held in the western hemisphere is coming to Onondaga County later this month. Elite athletes and their coaches from six countries including Australia, Denmark, and Hungary will gather at the Oncenter for the International Kettlebell Marathon Federation event.

Participants range in age from children to seniors and compete in lifting competitions and other games. Kettlebells, by the way, are iron or steel weights resembling a ball with a handle.

The county estimates an economic impact of at least $450,000 or more from overnight stays, dining, shopping, and transportation. The championship takes place May 22^nd through 24^th.

More information can be found here.

Karyl Sargent of LaFayette, N.Y., a multi-time IKMF World Champion and current holder of multiple world records, competes for Team USA at the 2025 IKMF World Championships in Mallorca, Spain. Sargent trains in East Syracuse with Brent Morehouse, President of the IKMF Syracuse 2026 Organizing Committee, and will compete at the 2026 IKMF World Championships here in Syracuse. — Karyl Sargent of LaFayette, N.Y., a multi-time IKMF World Champion and current holder of multiple world records, competes for Team USA at the 2025 IKMF World Championships in Mallorca, Spain. Sargent trains in East Syracuse with Brent Morehouse, President of the IKMF Syracuse 2026 Organizing Committee, and will compete at the 2026
IKMF World Championships in Syracuse.