Beaufort’s Omar Cummings sets 2 American records, wins 2 bronzes at Youth World Championships in Peru

Normally residing in the shadow of his record-setting younger brother, Omar Cummings had a chance to grab the spotlight Saturday at the IWF Youth World Weightlifting Championships in Lima, Peru.

And grab it, he did.

The 16-year-old from Beaufort, competing in the 77-kilogram weight class, smashed the American youth boys record in the clean and jerk and broke the American youth overall record (snatch plus clean and jerk), as well, earning two bronze medals in the process.

"I feel a lot of love from my coach, my team, my family, my hometown and my country," Cummings said by text message. "It's just a lot of love going on right now and excitement.

"I'm just thankful for the support, and most of all, Coach Ray (Jones). Because without him, none of this would be possible."

Omar Cummings' younger brother C.J., 14, struggled on Friday in the 69 kg weight class, completing just one of six lifts and failing to place. In a message Saturday on his Facebook page, Omar Cummings said Friday didn't go as planned but Saturday was for his brother.

Omar Cummings looked good early in the snatch portion of the competition, completing lifts of 120 and 125 kgs in his first two lifts.

His third attempt was at 129 kg, a weight he successfully lifted just 15 days ago in an unofficial meet in Beaufort. It would have set the official American youth record, but he was unsuccessful this time and finished seventh in the snatch.

In the clean and jerk, Cummings successfully lifted 150 kg in his first attempt, setting him up for a shot at the record in his second try.

In his second attempt, he lifted 157 kg, breaking the previous record of 155 set June 15, 2014 by Dominick Trozzi of Daytona, Fla. In this third attempt, Cummings bettered his own mark with a lift of 162, a mark good for third place and his first bronze medal.

Cummings' total weight lifted of 287 bettered the American youth record of 279, also held by Trozzi. His total was good for third place overall and the bronze medal.

Beaufort's Omar Cummings stands on the podium Saturday, April 11, 2015, after winning two bronze medals at the IWF Youth World Weightlifting Championships in Lima, Peru.

This story was originally published April 12, 2015 at 6:12 PM with the headline "Beaufort’s Omar Cummings sets 2 American records, wins 2 bronzes at Youth World Championships in Peru."