In an impressive feat at the Australian schools championships in Brisbane, 16-year-old Gout Gout shattered the national record for the 200 meters, making history with a time of 20.04 seconds.
The young athlete’s performance not only broke the national record previously held by Peter Norman since the 1968 Olympics but also established Gout as the fastest 16-year-old ever to complete the 200 meters. His remarkable accomplishment places him second only to Erriyon Knighton, who achieved a time of 19.84 seconds at age 17 in 2021.
Gout, who stands at 6 feet 2 inches, expressed his astonishment at the achievement, noting, “It’s pretty crazy. Right now I can’t process it, but I guess tonight when I go to bed, I’ll think about it. These are adults. And me, I’m just a kid, and I’m running them down.” Despite his young age, he has been eyeing this record, though he initially thought it would take another year or two to achieve.
Comparisons with Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt have arisen due to Gout’s stature and running style. His impressive 100m time of 10.04 seconds, recorded just the day before, marks the fourth-fastest ever by an Australian.
Looking ahead, Gout is set to train in the United States with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles. His journey from the Brisbane suburb of Ipswich, where he lives as the son of South Sudanese migrants, to breaking international records highlights his extraordinary potential. The prospect of the 2032 Olympics, which will be hosted in Brisbane when Gout is 24, adds a captivating dimension to his burgeoning career.
Gout Gout’s record-breaking performance is a testament to his talent and dedication at such a young age. With future training opportunities and upcoming competitions, he is poised to further his impressive track achievements.
Source: Bbc
