Australian sprint prodigy Gout Gout continues to make headlines after winning the Under-20 200m title at the Queensland Athletics Championships 2025 held on March 16, 2025, in Brisbane. The 17-year-old athlete, representing Tigers Athletic Club, not only took home the gold but also clocked an impressive 19.98 seconds, securing his place as one of Australias fastest runners.
Gout's lightning-fast time, achieved with the aid of wind assistance measuring +3.6m/s, remains the fastest 200m ever recorded by an Australian runner, regardless of conditions. Despite the impressive feat, the run is not eligible for record status due to the excessive wind, which exceeds the +2m/s limit for official records.
Earlier on the same day, Gout Gout had already made waves by setting the fastest time globally across all ages for the year, finishing the heats in 20.05 seconds. This extraordinary performance eclipsed the prior benchmark of 20.13 seconds, set by Zimbabwe's Makanakaishe Charamba just last month. Conditions during the heats were more favorable, with wind assistance recorded at +1.2m/s.
The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre buzzed with excitement as spectators witnessed Gout Gout's phenomenal performance, shattering his previous personal best of 20.04 seconds, which he had achieved last December at the Australian All Schools Championships. This earlier achievement had placed him firmly at the top of the Australian record books, surpassing Peter Norman's long-standing mark of 20.06 seconds, set during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
After clinching the U20 100m crown with a time of 10.38 seconds the day before, Gout Gout demonstrated his prowess across the sprinting spectrum. He had also secured his spot by finishing his 100m heats with 10.39 seconds, battling against a slight headwind.
Gout's consistency and remarkable performances at such a young age put him on the radar as one of the next big stars, particularly as he continues to work hard with rigorous training. The talented sprinter revealed he is currently deep within a heavy training block, preparing himself for upcoming challenges such as the Maurie Plant meet on March 29 and the national championships taking place next month in Western Australia.
Looking beyond these competitions, Gout Gout is eyeing the highly coveted $40,000 prize offered for the 120m Stawell Gift on Easter Sunday, marking another imperative event on his calendar. He joins other promising athletes, including Lachie Kennedy, Josh Azzopardi, Jacob Despard, Calab Law, and Jack Hale, all of whom are vying for the chance to claim victory and cash prizes.
With every new performance, Gout Gout inches nearer to the illustrious status held by the worlds sprinters. His run of 19.98 seconds places him alongside legends of the sport. At just 17 years old, he is already compared to Usain Bolt, whose fastest time at the same age was recorded at 19.93 seconds. Gout Gout previously bested Bolt's 16-year-old record of 20.13 seconds just last year.
The rapidly rising athlete inspires many, and he continues to capture the imagination of athletics fans not just within Australia but around the globe. With eyes set on future records and significant competitions, Gout Gout is certainly one to watch as he embarks on his promising sprinting career.