Why are Goten and Trunks bigger "prodigies" than Gohan?

[singsing]

Since I doubt that Goten and Trunks would get as strong as Chou Gohan with the Old Kai ritual, it just seems to be that, given the circumstances, they were able to reach a certain peak of power faster, but that's it. And as has been posted before, they have completely different personalities that makes more sense for them to be more powerful with all their "playfighting" and etc.

[ThePrinceOfSaiyans]

This is a good question, and to be honest it doesn't make much sense...

Neither Goten or Trunks had much training (Goten trained with his mum at times, and Trunks with Vegeta) and neither of them really had a situation of danger or "pain of loss" to feel the need to ascend.