Gout Gout has won the national 200m title with a stellar run of just 19.67 seconds at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney.
It was an immense personal best for the 18-year-old, who had cruised into the final on Sunday afternoon with easy wins in his heats.
The run was the first time Gout had broken the 20-second mark legally, and it was a huge improvement on his previous personal best of 20.02 seconds.
Gout’s sizzling effort was the first time any Aussie had broken through the 20-second barrier.
However, his fellow Aussie Aidan Murphy also broke the mark in the final on Sunday with a time of 19.88 seconds.
Gout broke the record despite not facing off against his rival Lachlan Kennedy, who pulled out of the event after winning the 100m national title with a time of 9.96 seconds on Saturday night.
Gout Gout celebrates after smashing the Australian record with a time of 19.67 seconds as he won the national 200m title in Sydney on Sunday
The scintillating run gave Gout back-to-back national titles in the event
Gout broke the 20-second barrier last year, but that time didn’t stand due to an illegal tailwind
The Queenslander ran a sub-20 last year, but that time did not stand due to an illegal tailwind.
Gout’s effort means he is faster than Usain Bolt at the same age.
The Jamaican legend set his best mark as an 18-year-old with a run of 19.93 in 2004.
Only America’s Erriyon Knighton has run a faster 200m at the same age, clocking 19.49 seconds in 2022.
‘There’s a big weight off my shoulders knowing I ran it legally, and I have the speed and body to run times like that,’ Gout said after the race.
‘It feels great, and I’m ready for more.
‘I thought today was going to be one of the worser conditions, for sure, but as soon as I saw the sun was out, all I need is alright conditions.
‘If it’s alright, the wind’s pretty down, I’m good to go.’
While Kennedy has punched his ticket to the Commonwealth Games, Gout won’t be in Glasgow after choosing to focus instead on the 200m at the world under-20 championships.
