The 18-year-old, a junior world champion for three years running, went six for six to snatch 153kg and clean and jerk 191kg on his third lifts at Coliseo Deportivo.

Each of those lifts, and the total of 344kg, set junior and senior American records, junior and senior Pan American records, as well as the junior world record.

In many cases, Cummings was breaking his own records, including his junior world records set at last year’s Senior World Championships in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat.

"Are you serious?" Cummings gasped when told he had set 15 records.

"Wow – oh my gosh.

"I'm speechless right now, I’m speechless."

The result will go a long way towards Cummings qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Pan American Championships are considered a gold event for Olympic qualification, meaning his total is weighted at 1.1 for the International Weightlifting Federation Absolute Ranking, which will largely determine the Olympic team come April 2020.

Colombia’s Luis Mosquera was the overall silver medallist with 322kg, while compatriot José Gavino took the bronze with 319kg.

In the men’s 67kg category, Mexico’s Jonathan Muñoz prevailed with a total of 304kg.

Colombia’s Jose Osorio finished second on 295kg with home favourite Edgar Pineda third on 291kg.

There was another victory for the US in the women’s 55kg division as Jourdan Delacruz matched the Pan American record total of 207kg.

Ecuador’s Alexandra Escobar claimed silver with 203kg, edging Mexico’s Ana López who secured the bronze with 202kg.

In the women’s 59kg category, Rosive Silgado led a Colombian one-two with a total of 220kg.

Fellow countrywoman Maria Lobon ranked second with 215kg, while the US’s Jessica Lucero rounded off the podium with 207kg.

Action is due to continue tomorrow.