SC’s CJ Cummings finishes in Olympics weightlifting. Were 716 pounds enough for a medal?
C.J. Cummings’ first Olympic appearance didn’t end with a medal as he hoped.
The Beaufort native was left out of the top three in the 73 kg (161 pounds) competition at the Tokyo Olympics. Cummings was trying to become first U.S. weightlifter to win a medal since Mario Martinez won silver in 1984.
China’s Shi Zhyong won the gold with a world-record total of 364 kg.
Cummings finished ninth with 325 kg (716 pounds) combined in the snatch and clean/jerk categories. He attempted a world-record 198 kg in the clean and jerk on his final attempt, the only chance he had to medal.
““I had to fight uphill. My coach laid it out. It was this or nothing. The 198 kg clean and jerk didn’t go my way today, but it’s motivation for the future,” Cummings said in a release from USA Weightlifting.
Cummings was successful in 180 kg on his attempt but missed at 185 kg. In the snatch portion of the event, Cummings missed on his first attempt at 145 kg but succeeded in his second attempt. He was unsuccessful on his third attempt of 150 kg.
““I felt short and behind for the rest of the competition,” Cummings said. “Clean and Jerk is my strong suit, so I felt like my Snatches messed me up this time.”
The 21-year-old has been touted as a future star for USA Weightlifting. The Wall Street Journal called him the LeBron James of Weightlifting in a 2015 story. Cummings holds three current International Weightlifting Federation marks and 23 American records.
But Cummings is just getting started. As the youngest member of the USA weightlifting team, he has a bright future ahead.
“Massive congrats to @CJ__Cummings for making his Olympic debut today at the #Tokyo2020 Games!!” USA Weightlifting posted on its Twitter account.
Cummings’ fans in the Lowcountry were up early Wednesday morning to watch, as his turn started at 6:55 a.m. The Cummings family held a watch party at Carolina Sportscare and Physical Therapy. in Beaufort. There was another at The Foundry in Beaufort, where Cummings trains. Family members weren’t allowed to support their athletes in person. Because of COVID-19, no spectators were allowed at the Tokyo Olympics.
Cummings will fly to Hawaii, where Team USA trained, and his family and friends are expected to meet him there.
“I feel disappointed in my performance, but I know everyone is going to say they’re proud of me,” Cummings said. “This is my first Olympics and I had high expectations for myself.
“I’m not done. This was a learning competition. I’ll take this and learn and grow. I’m still young, and I’ll be back.”
This story was originally published July 28, 2021 at 9:10 AM.
