HOUSTON—Competition has been at the core of the relationship between Northwestern State twin throwers Djimon Gumbs and Diamante Gumbs.

Ever since they were young, everything has been a competition to the Gumbs twins, no matter how big or small.

"We always have had competitions over the simple things, like who could eat the fastest or who could do homework the fastest," Diamante said. "It was always a competition. Us having that at a young age shaped us to the kind of athletes we are now."

That competition brings out the best in both twins.

While the competitive juices are always flowing and they want to beat their sibling, they do it to help the other improve as well.

"Competing with my brother is always fun," Djimon said. "It's just that sibling rivalry and camaraderie. We just push each other to become better versions of ourselves.

"Of course we have the trash talk that continues back-and-forth, but that is just constructive. We don't ever take it personally. It has helped us grow greatly and the results are showing. Competing with him is always something that is fun."

Sometimes, Djimon feels the need to brag to Diamante about items that were not even in their control, such as Djimon being a minute older than Diamante.

"I always brag that I am older," Djimon said laughingly. "Whenever he starts to get out of line, I tell him to remember that I am older. It was the best minute of my life."

The twins bring their competitive nature into their final Southland Conference Outdoor Championships as a member of NSU.

They have one final opportunity, as the SLC meet begins Thursday, as the Northwestern State track teams travel to Houston for the three-day meet.

While they are competitive and have been with each other since birth, the twins know they have each other's backs and always root for the other, even possibly at the expense of the other twin.

"We're attached at the hip," Djimon said. "It is something that was just instilled in us. What's mine is his and what's his is mine. If he wins something or breaks a record, my mom always taught me to be happy for one another because my turn will come eventually.

"So when we were in New Mexico, Diamante was breaking all the records and I was incredibly happy for him. We were so excited for each other for every little thing we've done. If I win, he wins. If he wins, I win. That is just something we've been taught."

Both Djimon and Diamante have been two of the best throwers this program has ever seen.

Diamante has set and re-set the hammer throw record in the outdoor this season, among his two overall program records. Djimon, on the other hand, broke the shot put record in April, one that had stood since 1982. He has multiple school records as well.

"Djimon breaking the shot put record, that is one record I didn't think we'd ever break," head coach Mike Heimerman said. "He is one of the best in the country and now he is becoming one of the elite throwers in the world. Diamante is right behind him with two school records and right behind his brother in many others.

"They are always having fun. It is a joy to be around."

Prior to coming to NSU, they each were star throwers for New Mexico Junior College.

Diamante was a four-time NJCAA All-American, twice in the weight throw, once in the shot put and once in the discus.

Djimon took eighth in the discus at the NJCAA Championships, as well as 10th in shot at the NJCAAs.

After their second year, they wanted to make the jump to Division I, and former NSU thrower Akira Phillip connected the twins with Heimerman, who was able to lure the twins to Natchitoches.

What also helps the twins in their quest to be the best throwers they can be is having a family of throwers, as older sisters Trevia and Tynelle also competed in throwing events.

Like their brothers, the sisters hold records for their home country of the British Virgin Islands.

Much like their dominant brothers, the Gumbs sisters hold five BVI records of their own, earning them in 2017 and 2018. Both Diamante and Djimon credit their older siblings for helping find their love of the sport.

"It's a good feeling to have such a great group of throwers in the family," Diamante said. "We're always supportive of each other. My sisters are always on top of it. Even from way back home, they are always cheering us on.

"They always give us pointers and give us tips and they are always there to motivate us. With them being throwers, it kind of helped us be where we are now. We used to watch them since they were four years ahead of us. We always wanted to be where they are. In a way, they were kind of paving the way for us."

With the aid and support of the family back in the BVI, the Gumbs twins have become two of the best in school history and have broken country records themselves.

While Djimon and Diamante have accomplished so much individually, one feat the twins have never been able to accomplish is bringing home a conference outdoor team championship.

"A team title would be the icing on the cake," Diamante said. "We have accomplished so much individually. We want to be the best version of ourselves so the team can win a championship. We have been here for three years and come so close, but a few things have set us back from winning. By will or by force, we have to bring that title back to Natchitoches."

Djimon won the Most Outstanding Male Athlete in each of the past two outdoor conference meets, as the twins led the second-place finish at the meet in Commerce, Texas, in 2023.

He also would like to reclaim the gold in the discus from Diamante after Djimon won it in 2022 and Diamante in 2023.

The twins account for two league-leading throws right now, as Diamante leads in the discus and Djimon leads in the shot put.

Even with all the accolades, meet wins and records broken, Heimerman will always remember them for much more than that.

"They are two human beings who are just so gentle and gracious for everything they have earned or have received and two people who just enjoy life," Heimerman said. "If you are around them very long, they make you a better human being.

"They make sure that you enjoy life. A lot of people take life for granted. Those guys are grateful for every day they wake up and make sure everybody knows."

All that makes for an emotional final conference meet for the twins. That competitiveness will be on display, both against each other and as they aim to team up and collect that elusive goal of winning the conference team title.