Who is Gout Gout? Teen sprinting sensation who has run faster than Usain Bolt and is known for breaking several records

11/06/2024 12:55 PM

Gout Gout is an Australian teenage sprinting show-stopper.

He has taken the athletics world by storm with his sensational speed and record-breaking performances.

Who is Gout Gout?

Gout Gout was born in Brisbane, Australia on December 29, 2007.

He is the son of South Sudanese immigrants who moved to the land Down Under two years before he was born.

The 16-year-old prodigy has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects in track and field.

Gout Gout turned professional in November 2024.

Recognising his immense potential, he was signed by Adidas, penning a sponsorship deal with the sports clothing brand.

Record-breaker

Gout Gout‘s most recent and impressive achievements came at the Queensland All Schools Track and Field Championships on November 3, 2024.

He clocked an astonishing 20.29 seconds in the 200-meter sprint heats.

This performance was nothing short of remarkable for a number of reasons.

It was the fastest 200m time by an Aussie since 1999 — and a new Australian U20 record.

It places him in fourth place on the Australian all-time list for the event, and would have qualified him for the Olympic final at Paris 2024.

The teen went on to claim victory in the 200m final, clocking in at 20.52 seconds, and also won the 100m with a time of 10.31.

What makes this feat more impressive is that Gout Gout’s time is even quicker than Usain Bolt’s previous record for 200m at the U20 World Championships.

To put these times in context, Botswana‘s Letsile Tebogo won the 200m at the Paris 2024 in a time of 19.46, while the current 200m world record of 19.19 is held by Bolt.

Gout Gout has also run a 100m personal best of just 10.2 seconds, leading to massive expectations for his future.

Comparisons to Usain Bolt

His exceptional performances have drawn inevitable comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt.

Olympic 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson has suggested that “maybe we are seeing the next Usain Bolt.”

She told Fox Sports: "What you see of him on those videos is pretty impressive and, god, he's going to be at the ripe age for the [2032] Brisbane Olympics coming around in a home country. He's just going to set the world on fire, I think.

“He's doing the blue-riband events, as well, which everyone wants to see, so that's going to take a lot of courage from him to be able to step up and have that belief in him, which he obviously already does, but to hold onto that all through a couple of Olympic cycles that we're going into Brisbane.”

While Gout appreciates the comparison, he remains focused on carving out his own legacy.

He said: “It’s pretty cool because Usain Bolt is arguably the greatest athlete of all time and just being compared to him is a great feeling.

“Obviously, I’m Gout Gout so I’m trying to make a name for myself. If I can get to the level he was, that would be a great achievement.”

But iconic US sprinter Justin Gaitlin warned against comparing Gout Gout and to a legend like Bolt.

He said: “Looking at what Bolt did — and not taking anything away from Gout Gout or anybody else that's doing their thing right now and dominating.

"When Bolt was a junior, he had the junior world record, which at that point in time, in 2004, this dude ran 19 low nine. 19.93 was his record, bro.

“If you put that against these guys today, he is eclipsing them.

“To say that this person is the next and that person is the next, I feel like we give the microphone to the bandwagoners.

"Stop putting these young athletes on a path that comes with a lot of stress and comes with a lot of pressure. Let them go out there and develop themselves.

"If anything, let them say, ‘No, I'm Gout Gout, I'm about to be different. I'm [Letsile] Tebogo, I'm about to be different.”

As Gout Gout continues to develop his natural talent and refine his skills, the athletics world watches on with anticipation.

His performances have not only excited fans, but also raised hopes for Australia’s future in sprinting events.

Sally Pearson has tipped him to be at his peak by the time Australia hosts the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane — Gout Gout’s hometown.

The young Australian is poised to make a significant impact on the world of athletics in the years to come.