At the Northern Indoor Track Championships, held on January 12 and 13 in Braga, Djumo earned the title of Northern Champion in the 60-metre hurdles with a time of 8.26 seconds, breaking a record that had stood for 23 years. He had an outstanding weekend, breaking his personal record twice in the 60 metres on the first day, setting another personal best as the fastest in the 60-metre hurdles heats on the second day, and finishing first in the final despite starting last out of the blocks.

“It was incredible, an overwhelming feeling of happiness”, Ussumani Djumo said about his achievement. “I knew I could do it, and I’ve been training hard. I know I can do even better. It was an emotional weekend. My family is thrilled, following my progress from the Algarve and Guinea. Their support means a lot to me.”

“Coming to this race to decide the Northern Champion of Portugal for the second time and winning was a feeling of triumph”, he added. “Last year, I tried and become the Northern Vice-Champion. I’m very proud. Everything went well, and I achieved two new personal records in the 60-metre and 60-metre hurdles. Now, it’s all about continuing to work and pushing myself further.”

“I became the record-holder for the 60-metre hurdles at my current club, Olímpico Vianense, breaking a record held by Nuno Pereira for 23 years”, Djumo concluded. “Being crowned champion in Portugal, a country that welcomed me, and in Viana do Castelo, a city where I’ve been so warmly received, is very inspiring and motivating! Now, I’m preparing for new challenges. My focus is to reach the highest level of my career and compete in the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Representing Guinea-Bissau at the highest level would also be an incredible honour. I’m striving to achieve that.”

“After 23 years, someone finally broke my record for Viana do Castelo, and it had to be from my club, Olímpico Vianense. Congratulations, Champion Ussumani Djumo!”, said Nuno Pereira, a key figure in Viana do Castelo sports history, as he congratulated both the club and the athlete.

“This season, two records have already been broken, both by “Olympians” for “Olympians”. The Clube de Atletismo Olímpico Vianense secured seven podiums in the Northern Indoor Track Championships in Braga”, Fernando Alves, President of the Club, commented.

Ussumani Djumo, a Portuguese Guinean from Armação de Pera and currently a member of the Clube de Atletismo Vianense, is regarded as one of the best hurdles athletes in Portugal and a promising talent for the future. His achievements include winning in the 2024 national club championship for the 2nd division with Atlético de Póvoa and earning 15 regional champion titles between 2020 and 2023 while representing Associação Académica da Bela Vista (Lagoa), where he began his athletics journey. Recently, Djumo was honoured by the Silves City Council as the “Sports Personality of the Municipality”.