Eighteen-year-old Gout Gout made headlines in Sydney recently by clocking an impressive 200m time of 19.67 seconds. This performance not only secured him a national title but also marked a world under-20 record. Remarkably, Gout surpassed Usain Bolt’s time of 19.93 seconds, which the sprinting legend set at age 17 in 2004.
Historic Achievement
Gout Gout’s triumph is significant as it is the first time he has legally run under the 20-second barrier. Last season, he recorded a wind-assisted time of 19.84 seconds. His new personal best is also the fastest time recorded in the world this year.
Previous Records
- In 2024, Gout set a national record of 20.06 seconds at age 16.
- American sprinter Erriyon Knighton holds the fastest U20 time of 19.49 seconds, which remains unratified.
- Knighton also recorded a ratified U20 record of 19.69 seconds in June 2022.
Competition and Future Plans
Aidan Murphy, who finished second in the recent race, also achieved an impressive time of 19.88 seconds, making it a historic day for Australian sprinting. Following his victory, Gout expressed excitement about the potential of Australian athletes pushing each other to excel. He stated, “Two Australians sub-20. I mean, this is amazing.”
Looking ahead, Gout will skip the Commonwealth Games, set to begin on July 23 in Glasgow, to concentrate on the upcoming World Under-20 Championships in Oregon in early August. He commented on the relief of achieving his record legally, emphasizing his readiness for future competitions.
