Gout Gout is a 16-year-old sprinter from Australia making headlines in athletics. He was born in 2007 in Brisbane to South Sudanese parents.
Gout is one of the top young athletes in the country and is often compared to Usain Bolt because of his impressive track performances.
Early Start and Quick Success
Gout started sprinting when coach Di Sheppard noticed him at age 13. Sheppard remarked, “I couldn’t pinpoint it, but gut instinct just screamed at me: who’s that kid?” This recognition helped Gout rise in athletics. By 14, he was faster than older athletes, and at 15, he set the record for the 200m U18 category.
At the 2024 Australian All Schools Athletics Championship, Gout ran a wind-assisted 10.04 seconds in the 100m heats. This time would have been the fourth-fastest ever for an under-18 athlete, but the tailwind was too strong.
In the final, however, he ran a legal time of 10.17 seconds, breaking the previous U18 record of 10.27 seconds held by Sebastian Sultana. This performance showed his speed and potential to challenge the Australian 100m record of 9.93 seconds set in 2003.
Comparisons to Usain Bolt
People often compare Gout’s running style to Usain Bolt’s. Fans and commentators notice similarities in their stride, knee height, and how easily they run. Gout sees these comparisons but wants to create his own reputation. He said, “I do see it [the Bolt similarity], but obviously, I’m making a name for myself, and I think I’ve done that pretty well.”
Future Goals and Training
Gout has big plans for the future. He will train with Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and his coach Lance Brauman in January, aiming to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo. He also looks forward to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, where he would be 25 and potentially a star of the Games, similar to Cathy Freeman in 2000.
Gout’s accomplishments have caught the attention of many fans and created a buzz on social media. After his record-breaking runs, people on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) praised him. They are already calling him a “future Olympic gold medalist” and predicting he might break Bolt’s records before he turns 20.
