The 16-year-old Australian sprint prodigy ready to break Usain Bolt's records
A new generation of young sprinters hungry for titles is challenging Usain Bolt's long-standing records. At the U20 World Championships in Peru, 16-year-old Gout Gout ran an impressive 20.60 seconds in the 200m sprint final, earning a silver medal and usurping Usain Bolt's record from the same race in 2002 when Bolt was nearly 16.
Gout Gout, just aged 16, is arguably one of the most talented sprinters on the scene, beating all types of times in his age group. The Australian athlete is just getting started...
Gout edged out Bolt's 2002 sprint time of 20.61 seconds, a remarkable achievement for the young sprinter. The Jamaican legend clocked 20.61 in the final, although he had a faster time of 20.58 in the first round, according to The Mirror. The Australian athlete managed to squeeze in a faster time in the final by just one millisecond.
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South African sprinter Bayanda Walaza snatched the gold with a remarkable time of 20.54 seconds. The 18-year-old sprinter is enjoying a great spell of form following his great display in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
British runner Jake Odey-Jordan took home the bronze, after finishing the race in 20.81 seconds, behind Gout Gout. The Australian sprinter was one of the youngest athletes in the final.
Gout's impressive performances have led to comparisons with Usain Bolt, with many seeing significant potential in the young Australian sprinter. Gout has taken these comparisons in stride, calling them "pretty cool" and expressing appreciation for being likened to one of the greatest sprinters in history. Despite his young age, Gout appears to be focused on his goals and fully committed to achieving his dreams on the track, showing maturity and determination that could set the stage for a remarkable career in athletics.
"I've been training, grinding, and just waiting patiently for this race to happen. Now that it's done, I'm really glad and ready to get in my bed and rest up for the relay (4x100m)," Gout shared with the press after the race.
Nevertheless, Gout is not the only youngster breaking hot records. Earlier this year, Jamaican sprinter Nickecoy Bramwell, broke Bolt's under-17 400m world record at the Carifta Games. Young Bramwell clocked 47.26 seconds, beating Bolt's record by 0.07 seconds.
Both Bramwell and Gout are emerging as two of the most talented sprinters under the age of 18, with fans eagerly debating who might eventually fill Usain Bolt's shoes. Each athlete brings a unique set of abilities and skills to the track. Bramwell excels in the 400m races, showcasing his endurance and confidence in longer sprints. On the other hand, Gout has proven to be stronger in the 100-200m races, leveraging his explosive power to deliver short bursts of speed.
Usain Bolt's early career was marked by rapid progression from youth competitions to the professional stage, despite some initial setbacks due to injuries. His eventual success included winning silver at the 2007 World Championships and achieving a historic double gold in the 2008 Olympics. The current performances of young sprinters like Gout and Bramwell show that Bolt's records continue to inspire and challenge the next generation of athletes.
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