The athletics world is buzzing after Gout Gout clocked a blistering 20.04 seconds in the 200m at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane on Saturday.
The time, the fastest ever by a 16-year-old, smashed Peter Norman’s 56-year-old national record of 20.06 set during the 1968 Olympics, MSN reports Saturday.
This historic performance not only establishes Gout as Australia’s fastest-ever sprinter over 200m but also places him second on the all-time list for under-18 athletes, overtaking Usain Bolt’s 2003 mark of 20.13 seconds.
Only Erriyon Knighton’s world record of 19.84 seconds as a 17-year-old stands ahead of him.
“These are adult times, and me, just a kid, I’m running them. It’s going to be a great future for sure,” said the Brisbane-born teen, whose parents migrated from South Sudan.
Meanwhile, Gout’s record-breaking run came just a day after a wind-assisted 10.04-second 100m dash, highlighting his extraordinary talent.
Reflecting on his achievements, Gout said, “I didn’t expect it to be that fast. I’ve been chasing that record, but I thought it would come next year or the year after. Pressure makes diamonds, and I guess I’m better than a diamond right now.”
The comparisons to Usain Bolt, widely regarded as the greatest sprinter in history, have followed Gout throughout his young career. Though humbled by the parallels, the teenager is determined to forge his own legacy.
“It’s pretty cool being compared to Bolt, but I’m Gout Gout, and I’m here to make my own name. If I can reach the level he achieved, it would be an amazing accomplishment,” he remarked.
Gout’s coach and manager, James Templeton, has worked to shield the young athlete from the overwhelming spotlight, but the teen’s viral performances have made anonymity nearly impossible.
“We want his life to be as normal as possible, but the world is starting to take notice. What he’s achieved at his age is extraordinary,” said Templeton.
With an endorsement deal with Adidas already secured, Gout is set to train with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles in the United States next month.
At just 16, Gout Gout has already rewritten Australia’s sprinting history. As he sets his sights on global records, the world waits to witness the rise of a potential new legend in athletics.
