Gout Gout dazzles in Queensland, eyes record-breaking future

Gout Gout, a 16-year-old sprinter from Queensland, has recently made headlines in the athletics community by signing a professional sponsorship deal with Adidas. This achievement marks him as one of the youngest athletes in Australia to turn professional, showcasing his exceptional talent at a young age. Gout has shown promise in various competitions, notably securing a silver medal in the 200m event at the 2022 World Athletics Under 20 Championships held in Peru. His outstanding performance includes a remarkable personal best of 20.16 seconds in the 200m, drawing comparisons to Usain Bolt, who recorded 20.13 seconds at the same age. Gout is also closing in on Australia’s open 200m record of 20.06 seconds set by Peter Norman at the 1968 Olympics. Supported by his coach Diane Sheppard at Ipswich Grammar School, Gout has set multiple national records, including Under 16 and Under 18 benchmarks. Despite facing initial challenges transitioning from a rugby background to athletics, he has made significant improvements, illustrating a rapid rise in his sprinting capabilities. Many in the athletics community have long recognized his potential to become a champion, with respected figures in the sport already predicting a bright future for him. Given Gout's trajectory, he is expected to make a significant impact in the sport, particularly with the 2032 Olympics set to take place in Australia when he will be just 24 years old. His achievements and the excitement surrounding his future mark him as a key figure in Australian athletics.