Gout Gout has shattered the Australian 200m national record at the All Schools Athletics ChampionshipsThe 16-year-old clocked 20.04 seconds to break a record that had stood since the 1968 Mexico City OlympicsThe youngster, who has South Sudan roots, has been compared to Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt
Gout Gout, a teenage sprint sensation, broke Australia’s 200m record in the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships.
The 16-year-old, who is originally from South Sudan, ran 20.04 seconds, surpassing Peter Norman’s 56-year national record.
On Friday, the teenager ran 10.17 seconds in the 100m, setting an Australian under-18 record.
Gout Gout has been tipped to emulate Usain Bolt in future. Photo by Cameron Spencer.
Source: UGC
Gout Gout has been a popular figure among sports enthusiasts since one of his races went viral earlier this year. Some have compared the teenager to Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt.
Gout Gout sets new 200m record
After running an incredible 10.04 seconds (wind assisted) in the 100m, the global Under-20 silver medallist was expected to unleash another epic effort in the 200m.
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On Saturday, he destroyed the pitch, smashing Norman’s 1968 Mexico City Olympic record of 10.06 seconds.
He finished the 200m in 20.04 seconds, the second-fastest time among under-18 athletes. Bolt ran a timing of 20.13 seconds at the same age. He’ll be attempting to break the record set by Erriyon Knighton of the United States in 2021, which was 19.84 seconds.
“These are adult times and me, just a kid – I’m running them. It’s going to be a great future for sure,” Gout said per Athletics Australia.
“I didn’t expect it to be that fast, but I guess I ran Australia’s fastest ever time in the 200. I have been chasing that record but I didn’t think it would come this year. I thought maybe next year or the year after that.”
Gout could participate in the 2025 World Athletics Championships and will likely be in his prime during the 2032 Olympics, which Australia will host, per The Guardian.
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Gout Gout speaks on Bolt’s comparisons
Henzodaily.ng earlier reported that Gout Gout says it is an honour to be compared to the legendary Usain Bolt so early in his athletics career.
The Australian teenager, who has caught the eye of the world with his prowess in athletics, says he is determined to make a name for himself.
Source: TUKO.co.ke