Sports

16-Year-Old Sprint Phenom Gout Gout Smashes Australia’s 56-Year-Old 200m Record

Teenage track star Gout Gout sets a new Australian and Oceania 200m record with a blistering 20.04s at the All-Schools Championships, becoming the fastest 16-year-old in history.

Gout Gout, a 16-year-old sprinting sensation, has shattered Australia’s oldest athletics record by running the 200m in 20.04 seconds during the final at the All-Schools Championships in Brisbane. This remarkable feat breaks Peter Norman’s longstanding record of 20.06 seconds, set during the 1968 Olympics, ending a 56-year streak.

The young sprinter’s explosive performance saw him surge past his competitors as he accelerated into the straight, leaving no doubt about his extraordinary potential. According to World Athletics, Gout’s time is now the fastest ever recorded by a 16-year-old and the second fastest under-18 200m time globally.

“These are adult times and me, just a kid – I’m running them. It’s going to be a great future for sure,” Gout said, reflecting on his achievement.

Despite his record-breaking success, Gout admitted he wasn’t expecting to achieve such a milestone this year. “I didn’t expect it to be that fast, but I guess I ran Australia’s fastest ever time in the 200. I thought maybe next year or the year after,” he said in an interview with Athletics Australia.

Gout’s rise to prominence began in 2022 when he clocked 10.57 seconds in the 100m as a 14-year-old. Since then, his career has drawn comparisons to legendary sprinter Usain Bolt, especially after running 20.60 seconds at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships—just 0.01 seconds faster than Bolt’s 15-year-old record in 2002.

“My video went viral right before World Juniors and that already created pressure,” Gout said. “But you know what they say, pressure makes diamonds, and I guess I’m better than a diamond right now.”

Gout remains focused on incremental improvements, targeting a sub-20 second time in the future. “We just take little steps; beat my PB by 0.01 or 0.02. Chasing that big sub-20 will be great for sure, but I’m not expecting too much,” he added.

Peter Norman’s original record earned him a silver medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. However, the race became famous for the Black Power salute by gold and bronze medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Norman stood in solidarity by wearing a badge supporting the Olympic Project for Human Rights, symbolizing his commitment to racial equality.

For Gout, breaking Norman’s record not only signifies a new era in Australian sprinting but also honors the rich history associated with it. As he continues to defy expectations, Gout’s journey is one to watch.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button