Australian teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout has taken the athletics world by storm, smashing Noah Lyles’ personal best in the 400m just days after training with the Olympic champion.
Competing in a rare 400m outing at the Joanna Stone Shield meet in Brisbane on Saturday, the 17-year-old clocked an astonishing 46.20 seconds. This time is nearly a full second faster than Lyles’ personal best and stands as the fastest under-18 time by an Australian in 35 years.
Gout recently returned from a training camp in Florida, where he trained under the guidance of Lance Brauman alongside Lyles. His sponsorship deal with Adidas, the same brand that backs Lyles, facilitated the opportunity to train with the 100m Olympic champion in the United States.
During his stay in America, Gout made an appearance on Lyles’ podcast, Beyond the Records, co-hosted by hurdling superstar Grant Holloway. In the episode, the young Australian boldly declared his ambition to take down one of Lyles’ records. Staying true to his word, he delivered on that promise in spectacular fashion by besting the world champion’s 400m mark.
Gout is primarily known for his blistering speed in the 100m and 200m, where he has already made history. In December, at just 16 years old, he shattered the men’s national 200m record by clocking 20.04 seconds at the Australian All Schools Championships. This performance officially made him the fastest 16-year-old over 200m in history, surpassing Usain Bolt’s legendary 20.13-second time at the same age.
Adding to his growing legend, Gout also produced a stunning, albeit wind-assisted, 10.04 seconds in the 100m at the same meet. These performances have further underlined his potential as one of the most exciting young sprinters in the world.
His rapid rise has led to inevitable comparisons with legends of the sport, and Gout has openly embraced the challenge. When asked about being compared to Usain Bolt, he confidently responded that he is “coming for it,” signaling his intention to follow in the footsteps of the Jamaican great.
As he continues his development, Gout is receiving valuable mentorship from some of the biggest names in athletics. Lyles, in particular, has shared advice on handling the pressures that come with success, encouraging the young sprinter to remain focused despite outside noise.
Looking ahead, Gout’s next race will be at the Queensland Championships in mid-March, followed by a highly anticipated appearance at the prestigious Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne on March 29. He will then turn his attention to the Australian Championships in Perth in April before competing in the iconic Stawell Gift handicap race.
With the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo set for 2025, Gout is on course to make his global championship debut. If he continues on his current trajectory, he could potentially line up against Lyles in the 100m and 200m, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between the rising star and the reigning champion.
Gout’s journey is only just beginning, but his record-breaking performances and fearless attitude have already positioned him as one of the most promising young athletes in the world. With the right guidance and continued improvement, he could be on the path to becoming one of the sport’s next great sprinters.
