Teenage sprint sensation, Gout, shatters Usain bolt’s record
Gout Gout, a rising star in athletics, has made history by breaking Usain Bolt’s record as the fastest 16-year-old in the 200m. Competing at the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane on Saturday, the teenage sprinter clocked an astonishing 20.04 seconds, surpassing Bolt’s 2003 record of 20.13 seconds for his age group.
Gout, who will turn 17 on December 29, now ranks alongside some of the fastest teenage sprinters in history. Only American Erriyon Knighton (19.84) and Bolt (19.93) have run faster 200m times at age 17. Additionally, his performance earned him qualification for next year’s World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Tokyo, meeting the entry standard of 20.16 seconds.
“These are adult times, and me, just a kid — I’m running them,” Gout said, reflecting on his achievement. “It’s going to be a great future for sure.”
The young sprinter didn’t just rewrite Bolt’s record; he also broke the Australian all-age record of 20.06 seconds, a long-standing mark set by Peter Norman during his silver-medal-winning run at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Norman’s iconic performance is remembered for his support of the Olympic Project for Human Rights.
“I didn’t expect it to be that fast,” Gout remarked. “I thought maybe next year or the year after that I’d break the record. It’s incredible.”
Born in Brisbane to South Sudanese parents, Gout has rapidly ascended the ranks in athletics. In August, he won silver in the 200m at the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, clocking a then-personal best of 20.60 seconds. He turned professional in October, signing with Adidas.
Gout’s rising fame has not been without its challenges. “My video went viral right before World Juniors, and that already created pressure,” he admitted. “But you know what they say: pressure makes diamonds.”
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Even Olympic 100m gold medalist Noah Lyles has taken notice, congratulating Gout on his recent successes. Lyles posted on Instagram, “Congratulations on your many GREAT moments this year. I also heard you are planning to come train with the group for a few weeks. See you soon.”
With his eyes set on breaking the elusive sub-20-second barrier, Gout remains focused and grounded. “Chasing that big sub-20 will be great for sure, but I’m not expecting too much,” he said.
As Gout continues to shatter records and redefine the limits of teenage sprinting, the world is undoubtedly watching the emergence of a future track legend.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
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