Control vs Aggression

 
This week I have had the distinct privilege of working out at Chestatee High School with my friend and former coach.  Coach is the reason I got into Olympic lifting as he introduced me to the lifts in 9^th grade.  When I first started Olympic weightlifting, coach’s oldest son was 3 years old.  His second son wasn’t born yet.   Today you might recognize both of them from their National rankings at Youth Nationals (and National records for that matter).
Lifting next to those two all week has been an awesome lesson in genetically inclined styles of lifting.  Coach’s oldest is calculated.  He’s a thinker.  He is strong and he uses his strength extremely well.  He knows exactly what he is doing during the entirety of the lift.  He’s perceptive and can correct himself easily.  He’s calm yet powerful.  His style of lifting is noticeably controlled.
Oldest 
Coach’s youngest son is very different.  I can relate so much more to his style of lifting.  The youngest swells with anxiousness.  His lifts are far from technically perfect but his passion is so strong you can sense it.  I could see his adrenals pump every time he touched the bar.  He may not know exactly where the bar is supposed to be at during the lift BUT he knows where it’s supposed to be at the end and stops at nothing to get it there.  His style of lifting reeks of unbridled aggression.
Youngestn
Both are from the same bloodline.  Both are competent, competitive, and eager lifters.  Both train to win and do so, often.  Both train under the same coach with the same programming and yet both are so very different.
The best comparison I can find out there is between Russian lifters Akkaev and Klokov.  The technical insufficiencies yet incredible speed and power of Akkaev stands in pretty stark contrast to the immense strength and control of Klokov.
Akeev
Klokov
Interestingly enough I learned a great deal from these two young lifters this week.  Some lifters are more inclined to control and power and thus will be very much dependent on their strength, control, and consistency.  Other lifters will be more inclined to speed and aggression and thus will be dependent on adrenaline, environment, and the training of explosive power.    These guys (though young) are great examples.  I wouldn’t bet on it but my guess is ten years from now, the same trends will remain.