Gout Gout, Australia’s newest sprint prodigy, is capturing global attention after a blistering 20.29-second finish in the 200m at the Queensland All Schools Track and Field Championships.
The 16-year-old’s time is not only the fastest by an Australian since 1993 but also places him fourth on the all-time global under-18 list. Only sprint legends like Erriyon Knighton, Usain Bolt, and Puripol Boonson have clocked faster times at his age.
Gout’s record-breaking performance in Brisbane also set a new Australian under-20 record and made him the fourth-fastest Australian over 200m in history. He now has his eyes set on surpassing Peter Norman’s longstanding Australian senior record of 20.06 seconds, a time that earned Norman an Olympic silver medal in 1968. Gout’s achievements suggest he’s on a similar trajectory to Bolt, who recorded 20.13 seconds at the same age.
The Brisbane-born sprinter, whose parents migrated from South Sudan, gained early attention two years ago with a 10.57-second run in the 100m. His prowess over 200m, however, has become his defining strength, as seen when he won silver in the World U20 Championships with a 20.60-second finish.
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Beyond the track, Gout’s pace and eye-catching stride have gained a viral following on social media, positioning him as a rising star with an international fanbase. With his sights set on both national and global records, Gout’s journey is one to watch closely as he chases new milestones in the sprinting world.
