In a historic moment for athletics, Australian sprinter Gout Gout has broken Usain Bolt’s long-standing record as the fastest 16-year-old in the 200m. Competing at the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane, Gout clocked a jaw-dropping 20.04 seconds, surpassing Bolt’s record of 20.13 seconds set in 2003.

A Record-Breaking Performance

Gout, who turns 17 on December 29, is now one of the fastest teenagers the sport has ever seen. Only two men in history have run faster than Gout’s time at age 17: American star Erriyon Knighton (19.84) and Bolt himself (19.93). Gout’s incredible performance also met the entry standard of 20.16 seconds for the 2024 World Outdoor Track and Field Championships, set to take place in Tokyo next September.

“These are adult times, and me, just a kid — I’m running them,” Gout said after the race. “It’s going to be a great future for sure.”

Breaking National Records

Gout’s blistering time also shattered the Australian 200m record, previously held by Peter Norman, who famously ran 20.06 seconds to claim silver at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Norman’s legacy as a trailblazer on and off the track makes Gout’s achievement even more meaningful.

“I didn’t expect it to be that fast, but I guess I ran Australia’s fastest ever time in the 200m,” Gout said. “I’ve been chasing that record, but I didn’t think it would come this year. I thought maybe next year or the year after that.”

A Rising Star

Born in Brisbane two years after his parents migrated from South Sudan, Gout’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. He claimed silver in the 200m at the World U20 Championships earlier this year, where he set a personal best of 20.60 seconds. Since then, his progression has been meteoric. In October, he turned professional, signing a deal with Adidas.

The young sprinter is also aiming to break the 20-second barrier, a milestone that few athletes ever achieve. “Pressure makes diamonds, and I guess I’m better than a diamond right now,” Gout said, reflecting on the attention he has received.

Praise from the Best

Gout’s achievements have not gone unnoticed by the world’s top sprinters. Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles congratulated him on Instagram after his recent performances in Brisbane, where Gout ran a wind-aided 10.04 seconds in the 100m and followed it up with a wind-legal personal best of 10.17 seconds.

“Congratulations on your many GREAT moments this year,” Lyles wrote. “I also heard you are planning to come train with the group for a few weeks. See you soon.”

What’s Next?

As Gout continues to rewrite records and raise expectations, his sights are set firmly on the future. With a breakthrough year behind him, the young sprinter’s journey is just beginning. Whether it’s breaking the elusive 20-second mark or making his mark on the global stage at the Tokyo World Championships, one thing is clear: Gout Gout is a name the world of athletics will hear for years to come.