How Long did Elite Olympic Lifters Take to Become Elite?

[Mitchellvdn]

This is something I've been wondering about for the last few weeks and, despite some research, I can't seem to find any answers. Basically I'm just curious when the professionals might have started with their Olympic lifting and how they progressed / what weights were they doing throughout their career leading up to going pro.

I'm currently about 6 months into training for Olympic lifting with a coach. Before that, I had been lifting for track & field in high school. I'm nowhere near elite but it's always fun to think about the possibilities! If anyone knows what weights the pros were doing when they started or how old they were or really any kind of statistic in that regards, please share.

My own info:

Age: 19
BW: ~71kg / 155-160lbs
Clean & Jerk: ~120kg / 265lbs
Snatch: ~97kg / 210lbs
Back Squat: ~165kg / 365lbs
Front Squat: ~135kg / 300lbs

I'd also love to know where others stand in their own lifts!

[Oleg1975K]

This is something I've been wondering about for the last few weeks and, despite some research, I can't seem to find any answers. Basically I'm just curious when the professionals might have started with their Olympic lifting and how they progressed / what weights were they doing throughout their career leading up to going pro.

I'm currently about 6 months into training for Olympic lifting with a coach. Before that, I had been lifting for track & field in high school. I'm nowhere near elite but it's always fun to think about the possibilities! If anyone knows what weights the pros were doing when they started or how old they were or really any kind of statistic in that regards, please share.

My own info:

Age: 19
BW: ~71kg / 155-160lbs
Clean & Jerk: ~120kg / 265lbs
Snatch: ~97kg / 210lbs
Back Squat: ~165kg / 365lbs
Front Squat: ~135kg / 300lbs

I'd also love to know where others stand in their own lifts!

If there is talent, he will break his way. David Rigert began weightlifting at 16 or 17 years old, after 4 years he confirmed the level of "Master of Sports of the USSR", thanks to coach Plückfelder. Then he successfully performed at international competitions for more than 10 years. So personally, everything is ahead of you, young athlete.

[DCSpartan]

Most of them show a lot of talent and are identified very early, in high school or college in the US and earlier elsewhere.

If you are 18 with those stats, you wont ever be an elite lifter. Not saying you cant become strong, but manage expectations. If you were going to become an Olympic or Pro athete you'd be displaying some skill by now.

[Daliceo]

Most of them show a lot of talent and are identified very early, in high school or college in the US and earlier elsewhere.

If you are 18 with those stats, you wont ever be an elite lifter. Not saying you cant become strong, but manage expectations. If you were going to become an Olympic or Pro athete you'd be displaying some skill by now.

I believe in you my man, I think you can become an elite lifter and will never know unless you give it a serious shot.

[DCSpartan]

I believe in you my man, I think you can become an elite lifter and will never know unless you give it a serious shot.

Athletic potential is a thing. Which is why most 19 year olds dont go from coach potatoes to Olympic Athletes, regardless of work ethic.

[MDSal92]

It took about 3 years after I learning about all the science to be able to get 295lbs for 5 reps at 175lbs body weight. But I had been lifting for about 10 years prior to that.

In Highschool I was benching like 275 for 1 rep at 165lbs just from football and wrestling, not that we trained correctly