Teen sprint sensation Gout Gout has made headlines once again, achieving a milestone that has eluded world and Olympic champion Noah Lyles. Competing in the 400 meters at the Joanna Stone Shield meet in Brisbane, Gout clocked an impressive 46.20 seconds nearly a full second faster than Lyles’ personal best over the distance. This remarkable feat also marks the fastest under-18 time by an Australian in 35 years.
Fresh from a training camp in Florida with Lyles and coach Lance Brauman, Gout’s competitive spirit was evident during their lighthearted banter on the ‘Beyond The Records’ podcast, where he boldly declared his intention to challenge Lyles at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo. Lyles, embracing the rivalry, responded enthusiastically, “That’s what I love to hear.”
Coached by Di Sheppard, Gout’s 400m performance served as an annual time trial to gauge his speed endurance. Despite the impressive time, the 17-year-old Queenslander remains focused on the 100m and 200m, where he has already set records.
In December, at just 16, Gout shattered the men’s national 200m record with a time of 20.04 seconds at the Australian All Schools Championships. He also clocked a blistering 10.04 seconds in the 100m, albeit with the assistance of an illegal tailwind.
Looking ahead, Gout will compete at the Queensland titles in March, followed by the prestigious Maurie Plant meet in Melbourne. April will see him contest the Australian Championships in Perth, which double as trials for the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
While balancing his final year of high school, Gout’s rapid rise in athletics signals a bright future. With his sights set on gold, the young sprinter is proving to be a formidable challenger on the world stage.
Be the first to comment