The teenage sprint sensation betters Peter Norman’s longstanding mark with another outstanding run in Brisbane
If you hadn’t heard of Gout Gout, then you probably have now.
The prodigiously talented 16-year-old went into the Australian All Schools Championships as the national under-20 record-holder for the 200m, having clocked 20.29 in Queensland last month.
That run was the quickest by an Australian since 1993 and, off the back of it, many wondered if Gout could one day take down Peter Norman’s senior mark of 20.06.
Not only was it a time that secured Norman the 200m silver medal in those Games but no Australian had ever got within a tenth of a second of it.
However, in the hot Brisbane sunshine, Gout clocked a staggering 20.04 (1.5) to win the 200m, setting a senior Oceania record over half a lap.
Gout Gout (Getty)
“These are adult times and me, just a kid – I’m running them,” the teenager said. “It’s going to be a great future for sure. I didn’t expect it to be that fast but I guess I ran Australia’s fastest ever time in the 200m. I have been chasing that record but I didn’t think it would come this year. I thought maybe next year or the year after that.”
Gout’s 20.04 now puts him second on the global under-18 200m all-time list behind Erriyon Knighton, who ran 19.84 at the USATF Championships three years ago.
It also means that Gout is faster than Usain Bolt over 200m in the under-18 age category, with the Jamaican clocking 20.13 in 2003.
After his victory, Gout celebrated with both coach Di Sheppard and manager James Templeton, scarcely believing the feat he’d accomplished.
Templeton, Gout and Sheppard (Getty)
Gout also had success in the 100m at the championships and set an Australian under-18 record of 10.17 (0.9) in his win.
In the heats, the teenager gained global attention after clocking 10.04 (3.4) but the wind was well above the legal limit.
It marks the end of a sensational season for Gout, who claimed a superb silver medal over half a lap at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, placing behind South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza.
According to The Guardian, Gout and Sheppard, through their mutual sponsor Adidas, have also secured an invite to join Noah Lyles and his coach Lance Brauman in Florida for a few weeks in January.
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