You are correct, my thinking was backwards. I also think he did win Pan Ams after he got 2nd.
That said, he beat Cruz for gold or something, so that isn't/wasn't saying much (at the time).
Each time he has gone 61 KG he has lost to guys he wouldn't lose to at 57 KG, though, and the ranking series tournaments he has been to are at 57 KG +2. So he hasn't really made 57 KG too much and he is on the wrong side of 30 KG to be taking breaks like that.