Gout Gout Stuns with 19.67s 200m Run, Beating Usain Bolt’s Teenage Benchmark

Gout Gout continued his rapid rise on Sunday with a stunning 200m victory at the Australian national championships, running faster than the teenage mark once set by Usain Bolt.

The 18-year-old sprint star stopped the clock at 19.67 seconds in Sydney, breaking the world U20 record and recording the fastest time in the world this year. It also marked his first legal sub-20 run after a previous wind-assisted effort.

His performance surpasses Bolt’s 19.93 seconds recorded in 2004 when the Jamaican legend was 17 and held the world junior record. Bolt never improved on that teenage benchmark before dominating senior sprinting history.

Gout had already made headlines in 2024 when he ran 20.06 seconds at just 16 years old, the fastest ever by someone of that age.

American sprinter Erriyon Knighton still holds the fastest under-20 performance at 19.49 seconds (unratified), while his recognised 19.69 record stood until Gout’s breakthrough run.

There was also strong competition from fellow Australian Aidan Murphy, who finished second in 19.88 seconds, producing two sub-20 performances in the same race.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Gout said after the race.

“We have such incredible athletes in Australia… Two Australians sub-20. I mean, this is amazing.”

He added that finally breaking the barrier legally brought relief and confidence.

“There’s a big weight off my shoulders… ready for more.”

Despite his breakthrough form, Gout has decided to skip the upcoming Commonwealth Games beginning July 23, choosing instead to focus on the World Under-20 Championships in Oregon in August.

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