Young Australian Star Surpasses Bolt’s 200m Record at 18

At just 18, Australian sprinter Gout achieved a historic milestone by clocking a 200m time of 19.67 seconds, outperforming Usain Bolt’s mark from the same age. This accomplishment occurred during Gout’s national championships on Sunday, marking a significant breakthrough in his career.

Gout’s new record of 19.67 seconds is the fastest in the world this year and represents his first legal sub-20 second time. Previously, he had run 19.84 seconds with wind assistance, but Sunday’s performance surpassed that, setting a new standard. The 19.67 seconds also eclipsed Bolt’s 19.93 seconds, which he recorded in 2004.

Aidan Murphy, who finished second, also broke the 20-second barrier with a time of 19.88. Gout, born in Queensland to South Sudanese parents, expressed his excitement about the achievement. “This is what I’ve been waiting for,” he said. “We have such incredible athletes in Australia, and me racing alongside them pushes me to my limits.”

“There’s a big weight off my shoulders knowing I ran it legally,” Gout added. “I have the speed and my body ready to handle times like that. It definitely feels great, and I’m prepared for more.”

Gout plans to skip the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, starting on 23 July, to concentrate on the World Under-20 Championships in Oregon, scheduled for early August. His focus on the junior global event underscores his commitment to competing at the highest level before transitioning to senior competitions.