Rising stars Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy lived up to expectations with dominant heat performances in their debut appearances at the prestigious Stawell Gift.
Teen sensation Gout, running off a 1m handicap, claimed victory in the penultimate heat with a time of 12.31 seconds on Saturday.
Kennedy, starting from a 0.25m backmark in the final heat, delivered an even more striking performance. The 21-year-old took control early and eased to the finish in 12.23 seconds the third-fastest time of the day.
“As soon as I realised I was ahead, I thought, ‘I’m going to enjoy this,’” Kennedy said. “I’ve watched the Gift for years, even before I took up track. It’s a historic event and I’m proud to be competing here. I’ve got more to give and hope to go faster in the semis and final.”
The semi-finals and finals for both the men’s and women’s events are scheduled for Easter Monday, with winners set to earn $40,000.
Lachlan Kennedy takes the win in the final heat of the Stawell Gift 💪 pic.twitter.com/tVC1NLScWE
— 7Sport (@7Sport) April 19, 2025
Gout, who often trains on grass, found racing on it a new but positive experience. “It felt like running on synthetic,” he said. “It’s really a mental game. I enjoy chasing people down, and that’s exactly what this kind of race is about.
“120 metres is ideal for me. I don’t have much time to hit top speed in the 100, but the extra 20 metres makes a big difference. Hopefully, I can reel in a few more competitors.”
John Evans recorded the fastest time of the 143rd edition of the 120m handicap event, clocking 12.13 from a 9.75m mark. Jasper Thomas (12.22 from 6.5m) was the only runner quicker than Kennedy, while reigning champion Jack Lacey (6m) secured his heat win in 12.44.
GOUT GOUT 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RBtWebE1vF
— 7Sport (@7Sport) April 19, 2025
Gout and Kennedy, both from Queensland, have formed a friendly rivalry in recent months. Kennedy edged Gout in the 200m at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne last month. At the Australian championships in Perth, Kennedy finished just behind Rohan Browning in the 100m, while Gout claimed victories in both the under-20 100m and open 200m. Kennedy also picked up a silver in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China earlier this month.
The women’s heats also saw strong showings from marquee names.
Paris Olympics semi-finalist Bree Rizzo looked comfortable as she won the final heat from scratch in 13.91 seconds. Defending champion Chloe Mannix-Power, also off scratch, won her heat in 13.95.
Frontmarkers Jasmine Rowe (13.74) and Jemma Stapleton (13.75), both racing off 11m, posted the fastest times among the women.
Be the first to comment