Competition improvements

I was just watching the 'Super Heavyweight' weightlifting competition at the Commonwealth Games and it has to be said these fellas lift some pretty spectacular weights. The Gold & Silver medals were won by a couple of Aussie students and the Bronze went to a teenager from Niue. A new Commonwealth record was set by the Silver medalist at 217KG in the Clean & Jerk (it was a combined weight competition, hence his 2nd placing) and, then, the Gold winning Aussie failed to set a new record at 225KG - which is somewhat short of the World Record at 263KG (set back in 1978 - in the good ol' hey-day of drug-fuelled sports).

Watching these behemoths in action I couldn't help wondering how a Gorilla would get on in the competition?

Not your typical 'monkey on a barstool' kinda guy, but a full-on shitkicking Silverback! Naturally, they would be pretty strong, but you would have to assume that their technique would be fairly poor (you try teaching a fully grown Silverback Gorilla the required technique for Clean & Jerk).

Another key point is that Monkeys, Apes & Gorillas can not lock their knees in as we do. Our closest relatives can walk on their hind legs, but this is only achieved by supporting their entire body weight on their muscles, which they are generally reticient to do (fair enough). We, on the other hand, can use the locking system of the knee joint & the integral strength of bone to support us, which helps to make walking a realistic option for us.

Presumably, they would also get disqualified for not locking in their knees as mentioned above which, I think, off the top of my head, is a key requirement for completing a successful Clean & Jerk lift. Additionally, I don't know how these competitions run with regard to etiquette - but can't help thinking that doing a poo on the stage would probably not endear one to the judges either.

Oh well - it would have made for an interesting tournament...