Gout Gout sets world’s fastest 200m time of the year
Australian sprinting sensation Gout Gout clocked the fastest men’s 200m time of the year on Sunday, continuing his rapid rise with a stunning performance at the Queensland State Championships.
The 17-year-old recorded 20.05 seconds in the heats before breaking the 20-second barrier in the final with a blistering 19.98. However, the final time was deemed wind-assisted and ineligible for official records.
“I felt literally free. I had 80 metres left to go, and I thought, let’s send it,” said Gout. “Only from then did I believe I had a chance of going sub (20). Seeing the clock, I was really happy and surprised in a way, but it just felt like a weight off my shoulders. Now that I’ve done it, I’ve just got to do that more consistently.”
Gout first gained international attention in December when he ran 20.04 seconds, the fastest ever by a 16-year-old, surpassing Usain Bolt’s best time at the same age and breaking Peter Norman’s long-standing Australian record of 20.06 from the 1968 Olympics.
His rapid progression has drawn comparisons to Bolt, with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe recently describing him as a rare talent who needs “nurturing and protecting.”
The qualification standard for this year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo is 20.16 seconds, a mark Gout has already beaten twice. With his breakthrough performances, he is now firmly on track to make an impact on the world stage.
(Source: AFP)
