Algarve's Ussumani Djumo is Northern Champion and breaks a 20-plus-year record

 

Ussumani Djumo shone at the Northern Indoor Championship and became regional indoor champion in the 60m hurdles, with a time of 8.26s, breaking a record that had stood for 23 years.

From Armação de Pêra and of Portuguese-Guinean background, competing this season in Viana do Castelo for Clube de Atletismo Olímpico Vianense, he broke his personal best twice in the 60 metres on the first day. On the second day, Ussumani Djumo also won his heat in the 60m hurdles and again broke his personal best in that event, having been the fastest across all 60m hurdles heats. Despite drawing the last lane in the blocks, he finished first in the Final with a new personal best of 8.26, becoming Northern Champion.

Ussumani Djumo described it: "It was amazing, an overwhelming feeling of happiness, I knew I was capable, that I could do it, and I've been training a lot. I know I can do even better. It was a weekend full of emotions. My family is very happy, they're following my championships from the Algarve and from Guinea. Their support means a lot."

Djumo said: "Getting to this event to decide the Northern Portugal champion for the second time and winning felt like overcoming a real challenge — last year I tried and came second in the North. I'm very proud. Everything went well and I managed to set 2 new personal bests, in the 60m and the 60m hurdles. Now it's about continuing to work and pushing myself further."

The athlete finished by stating: "I've become the 60m hurdles record holder at the club I now belong to, Olímpico Vianense — a record that belonged to Nuno Pereira and had stood for 23 years. Being able to become champion in Portugal, a country that welcomed me, and in this city of Viana do Castelo where I'm so well received, is excellent for me, it's very inspiring and motivating! Now I'm preparing for new heights. The goal is to go as far as possible. I want to reach the highest level of my career and take part in the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It would also be an honour for me to represent Guinea-Bissau's colours at the highest level. I'm fighting to get there."

Nuno Pereira, the athlete who is part of Viana do Castelo's sporting history and always very attentive, immediately congratulated the club and the athlete: "After 23 years, someone has broken the Viana do Castelo record that was mine, and it had to be someone from my own club, Olímpico Vianense. Congratulations, Champion Ussumani Djumo."

Fernando Alves, President of the Club, also noted: "This season already has two records broken, both by 'Olímpicos' set by 'Olímpicos'. Clube de Atletismo Olímpico Vianense secured seven podium finishes at this event in Braga, at the Northern Indoor Championship.

Ussumani Djumo, of Portuguese-Guinean background and from Armação de Pêra, currently competes for Clube de Atletismo Olímpico Vianense (Viana do Castelo) and is considered one of the best active Portuguese hurdlers and a great prospect for the future. His career includes 2nd division national club champion titles in 2024 with Atlético da Póvoa, and between 2020 and 2023 while representing Associação Académica da Bela Vista (Lagoa), the club where he started out in athletics and where he won 15 regional champion titles. The young athlete was also recently honoured and recognised by Silves Municipal Council as "Municipal Sporting Personality".