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For years, the track and field world has waited patiently for someone to take the moniker as the next Usain Bolt. We’ve seen moments of brilliance from stars such as Noah Lyles, Sha’carri Richardson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Elaine Thompson-Herah. But nobody has come close to the level of dominance or stardom that Bolt reached at the top of his game.
No one, that is, until now? Let us introduce to you 16-year-old Australian phenom Gout Gout, who ran a (wind-aided +3.4) 10.04 in the 100-meter dash to win the All-Schools Athletics Championships in Queensland on Friday. It was the fourth-fastest time in history for a runner under the age of 18. For comparison’s sake, rising American star Erriyon Knighton holds the record at 9.99, set in 2021. That time, too, was wind-aided.
SORRY WHAT?!👂 10.04? 👀
Teenage sensation Gout Gout gets the crowd roaring with a spectacular though windy 10.04 (+3.4) performance in his U18 100m Heat – the fourth fastest time in all conditions by an Australian in history.
Stay tuned for the final at 3:40pm AEST. Tune in… pic.twitter.com/UbXfzH5mj6
— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) December 6, 2024
Gout Gout’s Top End Speed Has Fans Calling Him The Next Usain Bolt
But for as impressive as the 10.04 time is, it doesn’t do the actual performance justice. Like Bolt, Gout is a taller runner at 6’2. He takes a bit of time to get up to full speed, but once he does he absolute demolishes the competition. At the 50-meter mark of the race, he was tied for the lead. But by the time he crossed the finish line he was a full 10 meters ahead of the pack.
“Sure this is heavily wind assisted but the way Gout Gout just floats across the track over the last 40 metres is incredible. Tell me it doesn’t remind you of the way Usain Bolt glided at his peak. Gonna be an absolute superstar this kid,” one fan wrote.
“I’ve been a bit sceptical of the comparisons between Gout Gout and Usain Bolt but the similarity in which they run is undeniable,” said another.
Gout already signed an endorsement deal with Adidas. He plans to come to the United States and train with Lyles in Jauary. After that, he has his eyes set on the 2024 World Championships in Tokyo.
Lookout world, Gout Gout is here. And it appears he’s here to stay.