Born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina, CJ Cummings is a 17 year old weightlifting phenom. After spending time in the gym watching his older sister Crystal lift, it was only a matter of time before CJ and his brother Omar got involved in the sport. At age 11, CJ became the youngest lifter to complete a clean & jerk of twice his body weight (200lbs). The next year, he earned a silver medal at the Men’s American Open where he was the youngest to compete and place ever at the Open. At age 13, Cummings was awarded the title of “Best Overall Lifter” at the 2013 Youth Pan Ams and set a Pan American record in the 15 & under category. As a result of these accomplishments, USA Weightlifting declared CJ Cummings “the strongest 13 year-old in the world.” Before he hit the ripe old age of 16, CJ broke additional records in the Men’s 62kg American Clean and Jerk, and won gold medals at the 2015 Youth Pan Ams and the 2016 USA Junior Nationals. Most recently he placed, 1st overall for 69kg at the American Open with a new Senior American record Clean & Jerk of 183kg, a personal best snatch of 138kg, and a new Senior American record total of 321kg. CJ was honored as Best Male Lifter at the American Open. Cummings trains at CrossFit Beaufort with his coach, Rayford Jones, and assistant coach Teddy Binette. When he is not lifting, CJ enjoys playing video games, playing on his iPhone, eating french fries, and hanging out with his friends.
Q&A with CJ Cummings
What’s the number one thing on your bucket list?
Make money doing what I love.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation
What’s your favorite workout song?
I don’t have just one, but I always choose an upbeat song.
Who’s your biggest supporter?
Family
What’s your go-to PowerBar product?
Strawberry-Banana PowerBar Energy Blasts