Gout Gout, a 16-year-old Australian sprinting prodigy, has stunned the athletics world with an impressive performance at the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian All-Schools Athletics Championship.
On Friday, Gout ran the fourth-fastest under-18 100m time in history, clocking 10.04 seconds in the heats. Although the run was wind-assisted, meaning it won’t count toward official records, the performance is still one of the best ever recorded by an Australian sprinter of any age.
“I’ve been chasing this national record for a while now!” Gout said after the race. “In the heat, I thought I got it, but it was a crazy tailwind, so I just did the same thing and got the job done.”
The extraordinary run places Gout in elite company. The fastest-ever under-18 time was set by American Erriyon Knighton in 2021 at 9.99 seconds, a mark also achieved with a wind assist. Gout’s time of 10.04 seconds ties him with some of the world’s best, including his fellow Australian sprinter Sebastian Sultana.
Later in the day, Gout ran an official 10.17 seconds in the final, securing his first legal national record in the under-18 100m event. This time is the sixth-fastest legal under-18 performance ever, surpassing his previous personal best of 10.29 seconds.
The run capped off a remarkable season for the teenager, who has been compared to sprinting legend Usain Bolt due to his lightning-fast progress in the sport. Gout’s rise to fame began in 2022, when he ran 10.57 seconds in the 100m as a 14-year-old, drawing the attention of coaches, fans, and media alike.
As his fame continues to grow, Gout has also started to draw comparisons to some of the sport’s biggest names. His performances at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in August were especially impressive. Gout ran the 200m in 20.60 seconds, beating Usain Bolt’s record for the fastest 200m by a 15-year-old. Bolt’s previous record was 20.61 seconds, set back in 2002.
With Gout’s combination of speed and maturity, it’s no surprise that he’s quickly become one of the most exciting prospects in global athletics.
“I’m just taking it one race at a time,” Gout said, reflecting on his journey so far. “There’s still a lot more work to be done, but I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given.”
In addition to his recent successes, Gout is already attracting major sponsorship deals, including a partnership with Adidas. His future in the sport looks incredibly bright, with high hopes for his upcoming races.
“I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me,” Gout said, looking ahead to his next challenge. “In January, I’m going overseas to train with Noah Lyles and his coach Lance Brauman. Hopefully, we can qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo. If not, I’ll finish my Year 12 and focus on my studies.”
For now, though, Gout is focused on the present. The teenager will run the 200m event in Queensland on Saturday, and eyes are already turning to his future in the sport.
Australia has seen a string of talented sprinters in recent years, but Gout’s emergence marks a new chapter in the nation’s sprinting legacy. His recent national record has cemented his place as one of the country’s brightest athletic stars, and his remarkable speed is likely to make waves on the world stage in the coming years.
As the youngest Australian to ever break the 10.30-second barrier in the 100m, Gout Gout’s achievements continue to inspire the next generation of Australian athletes.
“I’m really proud of what I’ve done so far,” he said. “But this is just the beginning.”
