Gout Gout has made even more history but once again frustratingly missed out on an official sub-20 second run due to the wind.
The 17-year-old Australian has got the eyes of the world on his breathtaking sprinting and many had to rub them as he nail a 19.84 in the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.
Gout roared with delight as he crossed the line in Perth
Gout roared with delight as he crossed the line in PerthCredit: Getty
However, a +2.2m/s tailwind means he still hasn’t officially broken the 20-second barrier, but in all conditions is the second fastest Under-20 in history.
And this comes just days after an astonishing 9.99 second 100 metre sprint was chalked off due to a +3.5m/s wind at his back.
When he received the news his blistering 200m time wouldn’t count for the record books he said: “It’s definitely frustrating.
“I run fast times but the wind is not on my side, but I guess it’s just getting those nice runs, and then hopefully one day the wind will be great.”
Thousands turned up to the Perth track to watch the scintillating teen sprinter who has tongues wagging in the world of athletics.
In a wholesome moment, Gout was also embraced by his on-track rival Lachie Kennedy who had just been disqualified from the race due to a false start.
The pair are locked in a battle with the latter beating his fellow Queenslander in Melbourne two weeks ago.
However, Gout revealed this time they were attempting to both go under 20 seconds together in Perth.
“It was very disappointing,” Gout said. “Our plan was to send it down the bend, and hopefully we can hold on for both sub-20 [seconds] but stuff like that happens and unfortunately he false started. It is what it is.”
Scenes of Kennedy running and leaping into the arms of a jubilant Gout played out in a heart-warming reminder that, despite battling on the track, they’re just friends who run fast.
Kennedy ran to Gout after he crossed the line
Kennedy ran to Gout after he crossed the lineCredit: X – 7Sport
And the pair embraced mid-air
And the pair embraced mid-airCredit: X – 7Sport
Kennedy, 21, has his own credentials with a 10.00 second PB in the 100m, while his best in the 200m is 20.26 – both times set in the last two weeks.
Naturally, Gout has seen his name linked to sprinting icon Usain Bolt.
Addressing the talk, Gout said: “I’m trying to be the next Gout Gout. Being compared to Usain Bolt, everyone wants to be the next star.
“Usain Bolt is the best sprinter and best athlete.
“To be compared to him is obviously great, but I’m Gout Gout and I want to make my name as big as his.
“I want people younger to be ‘your going to be the next Gout Gout’. I want to be like that.”
When asked about people already looking up to him, he added: “It crosses my mind sometimes. Just me being me and how people are quite literally looking up to me and trying to be me sometimes. It’s crazy to think about.
“I was once that kid trying to be the next Noah Lyles, trying to be Usain Bolt, trying to be the next icon.
“Being the next icon is surreal and it’s crazy.”
Gout clearly has a bright future ahead of him.
While the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 is a target, a home Olympiad in 2032, in Brisbane, is bringing excitement.
He said: “That’s the end goal, for sure (to run at Brisbane 2032). Obviously LA, which is in 2028. I’m looking forward to that.
WATCH Gout Gout get just inches away from Usain Bolt’s 200m time in blistering sprint
“I’ll be aiming to head there and also the World Championships this year in Tokyo. I’m aiming to be there as well.”
The event in Japan will take place from September 13-21 with more than 2000 athletes from around 200 countries.
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