Teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout yesterday reinforced his growing reputation as of the best young sprinters in the world by breaking the 20-second barrier with a wind-assisted performance to claim the Australian title in the men’s 200m in Perth.
The 17-year-old crossed the line in 19.84 seconds, a time that eclipsed his own national record by 0.2 seconds, but which would not count as a new mark due to a wind speed of plus-2.2m per second.
Nevertheless, his blistering run was the second fastest ever by an athlete under-20 among all conditions, surpassing Usain Bolt’s 19.93 in 2004 and Justin Gatlin’s 19.86 in 2001.
Photo: AFP
On Friday, Gout stormed to the 100m crown at the Australian Athletics Championships in 9.99 seconds. That too was achieved with a tailwind slightly above the permitted limit so would not make the record books.
His rapid development is generating growing interest, with the lanky schoolboy described this year by World Athletics president Sebastian Coe as a rare talent.
“Feels pretty good,” Gout said. “That’s what I’ve been chasing, I’ve been chasing getting that sub 10, focusing on my first hundred and that’s exactly what I did. I got out, I sent it. Top speed is my gift. I used it, took off and I got sub 20 so I couldn’t be happier.”
“I think [I am] maybe one of the youngest to ever win a men’s national title, so it definitely feels great. Couldn’t be happier for sure,” he said.
Gout, who was born in Australia after his parents migrated from South Sudan, rose to prominence in December last year when he clocked the fastest 200m time ever by a 16-year-old of 20.04 sec, bettering Bolt’s personal best at the same age.
Gout’s pre-race rival Lachlan Kennedy was disqualified for a false start and, as a result, Gout hesitated out of the blocks before powering down the straight to leave the competition battling for second.
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