Gout Gout shatters 56-year-old Australian 200m record, surpasses Usain Bolt’s under-18 mark

Sixteen-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout has captured global attention by winning the 200m final at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships with a record-breaking time of 20.04 seconds. This historic performance surpassed the 56-year-old national record set by Peter Norman in 1968 and bested Usain Bolt’s under-18 mark of 20.13 seconds. Gout now holds the title of the fastest 16-year-old in history and the second-fastest under-18 globally, behind Erriyon Knighton’s 19.84 seconds.

Hailing from Ipswich, Queensland, Gout overcame a false start before dominating the race from lane 7. His time, sixth fastest ever by an under-20 athlete, reflects his extraordinary potential. Speaking after the race, Gout said, “I didn’t think it would come this year,” expressing disbelief at achieving his long-held goal. His post-race celebrations included dropping to one knee and signaling to the sky, highlighting the emotional weight of his victory.

Following his 200m triumph, Gout showcased his sprinting versatility with an impressive 100m performance earlier in the championships. Although his heat time of 10.04 seconds was wind-assisted and ineligible for records, he legally clocked 10.17 seconds in the final. This placed him among the top under-18 sprinters in global history. Over recent years, Gout has consistently broken national age-group records, cementing his status as a rising star in Australian athletics.

Commentators have hailed Gout as the "poster boy" for Australian sprinting, with Mitch Dyer praising his achievements as "mind-boggling." Gout’s ability to combine showmanship with remarkable skill has captured the imagination of fans and experts alike.

As Gout continues to break barriers, his achievements signal a new era for Australian athletics, promising an exciting future on the world stage.