Belgian Bumco competes for injured teammates, finishes 19 seconds behind

Posted : 25 June 2023

The resilient athlete from Belgium selflessly participated in the race to fill in for her injured teammates, finishing 19 seconds behind, but received admiration and accolades from people worldwide. And above all, she emphasized the importance of not taking oneself too seriously.

Julian Bumco, the Belgian iron ball thrower, has gained significant popularity among sports enthusiasts in her home country and online. This was after she placed last in the 19-meter hurdles event at the European Championships on Saturday.

At the age of 29, Bumco competes in shot put and hammer throw. On that particular Saturday in Poland, she had already participated in both of her individual disciplines. However, she later found herself competing against some of the world's top hurdle runners when she volunteered for the 100 hurdles.

Her decision to compete in the event was driven by her dedication to the national team. With two of Belgium's runners forced to withdraw due to injuries, Bumco stepped up to prevent disqualification and assumed responsibility for the team.

Despite finishing the 100-meter hurdles in 32.81 seconds, trailing behind the race winner, Teresa Arendonagh of Spain, who finished in 13.22 seconds, Bumco did not become a subject of mockery. Instead, social media praised her gesture, and even her rivals congratulated her for her effort.

Throughout the race, the 29-year-old Belgian wore a cheerful expression as the crowd roared and cheered her on. With her long legs effortlessly clearing each hurdle by stepping over them, she crossed the finish line with a broad smile. Thanks to her determination, Belgium secured two points in the race.

"The team means everything to me... It's not a joke—it's about the team. I couldn't let us lose points," she expressed after the race. "When they asked me, I immediately agreed, and I enjoyed it, but only with my coach's approval. He agreed as long as I took it easy and avoided any risk of injury," she explained regarding her decision to put the team first.

"We practice hurdles sometimes, so I knew what to do. It felt like a unique experience because, more than ever, I had the sensation that everyone was watching me," she added.

"I try not to take myself too seriously as an athlete. Past experiences have taught me that it only leads to stress. If these points ensure that we remain at the senior level, it would undoubtedly be worthwhile."

Belgian Bumco competes for injured teammates, finishes 19 seconds behind

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