16-year-old track star Gout Gout made history by breaking Peter Norman’s 56-year-old national 200-meter record at the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane. Gout clocked an impressive time of 20.04 seconds, surpassing Norman’s record of 20.06 set at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
With comparisons to Usain Bolt and a growing reputation, Gout faced immense pressure leading up to the event. Despite the expectations, Gout embraced the challenge and delivered a remarkable performance.
Reflecting on his achievement, Gout stated, “You know what they say, pressure makes diamonds. I’m better than a diamond right now.”
Gout had already broken several national records in younger age categories, but his recent performance has set the stage for even greater accomplishments. He now aims to achieve world-class times of sub-20 seconds in the 200m and sub-10 seconds in the 100m.
Following a false start in the under-18 final, Gout not only secured victory but also helped his competitors achieve personal bests. With a successful track record and a bright future ahead, Gout’s potential is limitless.
In addition to Gout’s record-breaking feat, another young athlete, Ken Ferrante Tanikawa, set a new record in the under-16 boys’ 100m hurdles, showcasing the talent and potential of the next generation of track stars.
This article was written by Damien Stannard.
