Australian sprinting prodigy Gout Gout has etched his name into the history books by breaking Peter Norman’s 56-year-old 200m record at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships. The 16-year-old sensation clocked an extraordinary time of 20.04 seconds, surpassing Norman’s legendary 20.06-second feat set during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. This remarkable achievement not only crowns Gout as Australia’s fastest-ever over the distance but also places him among the world’s elite young sprinters.
Gout’s performance stunned spectators at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, where he dominated the final from start to finish. Running from lane seven, he powered through the bend and stormed home with ease, leaving his competitors far behind. His time is now the second-fastest ever recorded globally by an under-18 athlete, trailing only American Erriyon Knighton’s 19.84 seconds. What makes this feat even more astonishing is that Gout’s time also eclipses a young Usain Bolt’s best under-18 mark of 20.13 seconds, further fueling comparisons to the Jamaican legend.
Reflecting on his record-breaking run, Gout expressed disbelief and joy, saying, “I’ve been chasing that record for a while now, but I didn’t think it would come this year. As soon as the gun went off, I was flying.” The young sprinter celebrated his historic achievement with his coach and a bow to the crowd, cementing his status as a rising star in athletics.
Peter Norman’s record had long been considered untouchable in Australian athletics. The late sprinter set the mark during a race that earned him a silver medal at the Olympics and global recognition for his stance alongside Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their iconic Black Power salute on the podium. Breaking such a storied record adds another layer of significance to Gout’s achievement.
Gout’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. Earlier in the meet, he showcased his blistering speed by running a wind-assisted 10.04 seconds in the 100m, one of the fastest times ever by an Australian under any conditions. With national age-group records already under his belt and a growing reputation on the international stage, Gout is being hailed as the future of Australian sprinting.
As he continues to shatter records and draw comparisons to legends like Bolt, Gout remains focused on his goals. With aspirations to represent Australia at major global events and potentially dominate at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, this young athlete is just getting started. For now, however, Gout Gout stands as a symbol of athletic excellence and a beacon of hope for Australian track and field.
