DENIS VASILEV
MULTI-WORLD CHAMPION
COACH WHO CARES
My dear friend,
You have chosen a wonderful endeavor that is, Kettlebell sport.
This sport that will make you better in many ways.
This is a sport of patience, skill and a strong mind.
My sport motto is:
"Train as hard as you can and you'll love to compete.
Never quit and you'll respect yourself".
Good luck!
KETTLEBELL SPORT IS WHAT I'M GOOD AT
Kettlebell Sport is my passion, my life now that have started as a hobby in 1999.
Now, being an 11 times World Champion, a World Record Holder, Winner of all recognizable Kettlebell Sport competitions for over a decade with non stop,
I still remember very well what it's like to have questions with no answers, being frustrated or failing to make a progress.
Only the reason I've succeed is because I never stopped trying and seeking for answers.
I was strong and disciplined and consistent from the very beginning but I had a big technique issues, lack of mobility, and no drills to fixing those issues.
I learned from the great Coaches: Sergei Rachinskii, Sergei Merkulin, Sergei Rudnev, Igor Novikov, Timofei Nikolaev
and being inspired by such Kettlebell Sport Icons like Eduard Ahramenko, Igor Morozov, Andrei Kravcov, Anton Anasenko, Ivan Denisov, Jonny Benidze, Aleksandr Khvostov, Ilya Tashlanov.
All this great people by their performance and knowledge helped me to answer the questions I've had and helped me to find "MYSELF", because everyone is different and there is no universal training methodology or technique that will fit to everyone, no.
There are some general rules, but you need to follow them considering your own personality and physique to find your own the most effective way to succeed.
I'm glad and lucky I did it, and I'm grateful to God for helping me do not lost the faith, because now I really know how it works,
And I am so excited to share my knowledge and experience with you!
Yes, we all learn from our own mistakes, ups and downs, but I want to be that cushion for you, and help you to build your success likely less painful that mine was, by providing a modern, scientifically proved training methodologies (approved by Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health), effective and safe drills to establish a solid and efficient lifting technique.
I love Coaching at least as much as I love lifting!
Seeing my students hitting a new Personal Records, or Winning a Competitions, getting stronger, healthier and confident making me so happy!!!
It will not be easy, I guarantee that, but we'll have a good laugh and a wide smiles from the bottom of our hearts when we'll get that 10min set done!
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ABOUT ME
I began practicing Kettlebell Sport in 1999 at the age of 16.
Over the past 25+ years, I have become one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the discipline and a globally recognized coach, educator, and sport leader.
I hold the ranks of:
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Candidate for Master of Sport (2001, Biathlon 24kg)
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Master of Sport (2004, Biathlon 32kg)
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Master of Sport International Class (2009, Long Cycle 32kg)
From 2008–2015, I was a member of the Russian National Kettlebell Sport Team (RGSF), competing at the highest professional level worldwide.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy from the Lesgaft National State University (St. Petersburg), and I have coached Kettlebell Sport athletes since 2009.
I am the Founder and Leader of the International Kettlebell Organization (IKO) and the Kettlebell Sport World League, as well as the creator of BELLEVATOR, a line of premium kettlebell sport belts and apparel.
🏆 Selected Kettlebell Sport Achievements
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg WORLD CHAMPION: 2008, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21;
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg CHAMPION OF EUROPE: 2008, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18;
- Biathlon 2 x 32kg LATIN AMERICA CHAMPION: 2017;
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg LATIN AMERICA CHAMPION: 2019;
- Biathlon 2 x 24kg ASIA CHAMPION: 2018;
- Long Cycle 2 x 24kg ASIA CHAMPION: 2019;
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg CHAMPION OF RUSSIA: 2009, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 (RGSF);
- Biathlon 2 x 32kg USA CHAMPION: 2018, 2020;
- Biathlon 2 x 24kg USA CHAMPION: 2019;
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg WORLD RECORD HOLDER 101 reps (WAKSC), 2015;
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg WORLD RECORD HOLDER 91 reps (IUKL), 2015;
- Long Cycle 2 x 40kg WORLD RECORD HOLDER 57 reps (IKSFA), 2010;
*I'm only the person in the World who did 10min long set in Long Cycle with two 40kg kettlebells.
- Long Cycle 2 x 24kg WORLD RECORD HOLDER 150 reps (IKO), 2020;
- Snatch 24kg ROGUE Slingshot Challenge ABSOLUTE WINNER 2022, 2024
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg WORLD GRAND PRIX CHAMPION: 2015, 2016, 2017 (WAKSC);
- Biathlon 2 x 32kg WORLD GRAND PRIX CHAMPION: 2015, 2016, 2017 (WAKSC);
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg KETTLEBELL WORLD LEAGUE CHAMPION: 2018, 2019 (IKO);
- Biathlon 2 x 32kg KETTLEBELL WORLD LEAGUE CHAMPION: 2018, 2019 (IKO);
- Long Cycle 2 x 40kg CUP OF CHAMPIONS Absolute Winner: 2007 (IUKL) 34 reps in 5min;
- Long Cycle 2 x 32kg CUP OF CHAMPIONS Absolute Winner: 2008 (IUKL) 56 reps in 5min;
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All American Kettlebell Open (Mr.America) - 2-time winner (2023, 2024)
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California Open Champion – 12-time winner (2013–2019, 2021–2025)
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Northern California Open Champion – 10-time winner (2013–2019, 2022–2024)
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White Nights World Grand Prix (St. Petersburg) – 6-time champion (2012–2017)
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Japan Open Champion – 4 consecutive titles (2013–2016)
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Puerto Rico Open Champion – 2016
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Amber Kettlebell Championship (Kaliningrad) – 3-time champion (2015–2017)
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Indonesia Open Champion – 2-time winner (2015, 2018)
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Shanghai Open Champion – 2016
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Niagara Open Champion – 2-time winner (2015, 2016)
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Vancouver Open Champion – 6-time champion (2015–2018, 2021, 2023)
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Mexico Open Champion – 6-time champion (2016–2018, 2020–2022)
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Norway Grand Prix Champion – 2016
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Olsztyn Open (Poland) Champion – 4-time winner (2014, 2016–2018)
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Zagreb Open (Croatia) Champion – 2-time winner (2015, 2017)
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Texas Open Champion – 2016
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Kecskemét Open (Hungary) Champion – 2016
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Chicago Classic Champion – 2-time winner (2016, 2017)
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Philippine Girevoy Cup Champion – 2018
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Pendekar Indonesia Champion – 2018
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Peru International Champion – 5-time consecutive winner (2019–2023)
Sports Career Timeline
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1991–2000 – Martial Arts Federation Kaliningrad (Hand-to-Hand Combat), Candidate for Master of Sports
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1998–2005 – Team Kaliningrad (Kettlebell Sport), Master of Sports
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2000–2005 – Team Kaliningrad (Arm-wrestling), CMS
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2005–2007 – Powerlifting (independent training)
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2007–2008 – Team Saint-Petersburg (Kettlebell Sport), MSIC
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2008–2016 – Russian National Team (Professionals, 2×32kg)
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2016–2017 – PRO Athlete, EUROFITNESS Club
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2017–2025 – PRO Athlete, Orange Kettlebell Club, Oakland, CA
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2025–Present – Team BELLEVATOR Captain
Education
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North-West Institute of Management (2007–2010)
– State & Municipal Administration
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Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport & Health (2010–2015)
– Master’s Degree in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
– Specialization: Kettlebell Sport
Business Career & Leadership Roles
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IKSFA – International Kettlebell Sport & Fitness Academy (2009–2012)
Coach
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KETACADEMY – International Kettlebell Sport Academy (2012–2017)
Vice President, Master Coach
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WAKSC – World Association of Kettlebell Sport Clubs (2014–2017)
Vice President
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Orange Kettlebell Club (2017–2025)
Master Coach
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BELLEVATOR (2014–Present)
Founder & Owner – Premium kettlebell sport belts & apparel
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IKO & Kettlebell Sport World League (2017–Present)
Founder & Leader
Current Roles (2025)
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Founder & Leader – International Kettlebell Organization (IKO)
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Founder – BELLEVATOR Belts & Apparel
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Global Kettlebell Sport Lecturer, Coach & Consultant
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Team BELLEVATOR Captain
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Elite Athlete & International Ambassador of Kettlebell Sport
DENIS VASILEV
KETTLEBELL SPORT COACH
