Teenage sensation Gout Gout won the U23 200m sprint at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday, beating among other athletes, India’s fastest sprinter Animesh Kujur. The Australian sprinter, who has been compared to Usain Bolt, has been on the radar of the athletics world after putting up some blazing fast times for his age, including taking down Bolt’s U16 record.
Gout, who is set to take part in the World Championships, has yet to face some of the biggest sprinters in the world, some of whom were at the Monaco Diamond League. Both Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo were going to compete against each other after the Paris Olympics in Monaco after Tebogo took the 200m crown from the American. But Gout said that he wanted to slowly enter top level competition.
“I didn’t compete in the main race because I just want to slowly get used to it. There is no point putting me in big races when I am running at the World Championships. The goal now is to go out there and have a little bit of fun,” said Gout Gout. The 2025 World Championships are set to take place in Japan from September 13 to 21 and Gout Gout will be a part of the 200m race.
The 18-year-old ran a quick 20.10s run on Friday, with a strong headwind as well – a marker of just how strong his race can be when he runs in his preferred discipline.
“I am pretty satisfied, I just got told that it was into a headwind. I ran pretty decent so I am happy with that. I haven’t competed much this season since I have to go to school, I will be back on Monday. During the holidays is the time to compete for me, I come back here and get in a few good races,” he said.
Gout also told Citius Magazine that his goal was to continue working on his first 100 metres. As of now, the young Australian isn’t the fastest of starters but makes up for it with a turbocharged kick at the back end of the race.
“Definitely just my first 100 and just trying to stay calm and relaxed. Just stay in your lane and just focus on what you need to focus on and just honestly just staying relaxed and just going out there having fun,” said the sprinter.
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