In a remarkable display of speed, Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout has officially broken the 10-second barrier in the 100 metres for the first time in his career. However, his electrifying time of 9.99 seconds, achieved during the heats of the under-20 division at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth, comes with a significant caveat: the performance was wind-assisted due to a tailwind of +3.5 metres per second, exceeding the legal limit of +2.00 metres per second.
Competing at the WA Athletics Stadium on Thursday, April 10, 2025, the 17-year-old sprinter showcased his extraordinary talent but will not see his time officially recognized in the record books due to the illegal wind conditions. Despite this setback, Gout's performance has placed him in equal first on the all-time under-18 list of "all conditions" runs, matching the 9.99 seconds recorded by American Erriyon Knighton in Florida in 2021, who also benefited from a strong tailwind.
Gout's journey to this moment has been nothing short of impressive. He previously set a wind-assisted time of 10.04 seconds at the Australian All School Championships last December and has been steadily improving his performance. His fastest legal time remains at 10.17 seconds, but the promising conditions in Perth have sparked hopes that he could surpass this mark in the upcoming events.
As he crossed the finish line, Gout momentarily switched off in the final metres of the race, still managing to clock an impressive time. Commentator Bruce McAvaney remarked, "He’s run something extraordinary!" highlighting the potential that Gout possesses.
After the race, Gout expressed a mix of surprise and nonchalance regarding his sub-10 achievement. "It doesn’t feel very special," he said. "I mean, this is the stuff you have to do to get to the next level. Sub-10 was inevitable [in my career]." His pragmatic approach reflects a maturity beyond his years, as he prepares to compete in the U20 100m final later that evening at 6:47 PM local time.
Gout's participation in the championships is particularly notable as he is the defending U20 national champion in both the 100m and 200m events. His focus now shifts to the final, where he hopes to replicate or improve upon his recent performance under legal conditions. If he manages to break the 10-second barrier in the final, he would become the youngest athlete to achieve this milestone, surpassing American Christian Miller.
The significance of Gout's performance is underscored by the history of Australian sprinting. Only one Australian athlete has officially run a sub-10 second time under legal conditions: Patrick Johnson, who set the record of 9.93 seconds in Japan in 2003. Gout's recent run, while wind-aided, demonstrates his potential to join this elite group.
Looking ahead, Gout is scheduled to compete in the open category for the 200m events later in the week. His preliminary heat is set for April 12, 2025, at 7:20 PM, followed by heats on April 13 and the final later that same day. With his sights set on breaking his personal best, Gout is eager to capitalize on the momentum from his recent performances.
As the excitement builds among fans and commentators alike, all eyes will be on Gout Gout as he returns to the track for the U20 final. His journey thus far has not only made waves in the Australian athletics scene but has also positioned him as a rising star on the international stage.
In conclusion, while Gout Gout's wind-assisted 9.99 seconds may not stand as an official record, it has certainly captured the attention of the athletics world. The young sprinter's determination and talent suggest that this is just the beginning of what could be a historic career.
