He could also be simply 17 however sprint sensation Gout Gout is ready to present the world simply how briskly he’s.
The teenager has seen his profile skyrocket over the previous couple of years, with movies of his lightning-quick performances going viral world wide.
Now, the teenager has the chance to take a look at himself towards the very best within the sport as he prepares to compete within the 200m competitors at this yr’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The first heats are scheduled to happen Wednesday, with Gout telling reporters that he’s ready to show his credentials.
“I’ve earned my place to be here,” he mentioned Monday, per Reuters. “Obviously, these athletes are stronger, larger, older, extra skilled, however I do know that I’ve the power to go on the market and do my factor.
“At the end of the day, we’re all running 200 meters, and regardless of how old you are, when you stop on that line, it’s all about who’s fastest.”
Gout broke onto the scene in 2022 when he ran the 100m in 10.57 seconds as a 14-year-old, however garnered much more consideration after operating 200m in 20.60 at final yr’s World Athletics U20 Championships – 0.01 seconds quicker than a 15-year-old Usain Bolt managed in 2002.
He additionally broke his personal Australian 200m file in June, ending in a time of 20.02 in what was his first senior race overseas.
Speaking to reporters about his ambitions for this yr’s world championships, Gout mentioned he was simply targeted on securing a private finest, though admitted he was decided to someday break the 200m 20-second barrier.
He has beforehand dipped below that elite benchmark, however his time of 19.98 recorded earlier this yr didn’t depend as an official file due to favorable wind situations on the day.
“I definitely think PB-ing, regardless of where I come, is definitely a big success,” he instructed reporters in Tokyo.
“And hopefully, if I can make it at the semi, that’s even greater. And then if I make it into the final, that’s a big success.”
Now thought-about one of many quickest youngsters on the planet, Gout Gout has had to get used to coping with fame.
He’s additionally had to shoulder comparisons with Jamaican legend Bolt, who has praised the Australian for his performances to date.
Olympic 200-meter champion Letsile Tebogo additionally said earlier this year that Gout can “be one of the best” however the charismatic teenager is simply attempting to simply concentrate on bettering daily.
“It’s definitely crazy,” he mentioned. “I’ve had individuals with their grandparents come up to me wanting pictures … I’ve had a child, her mom wished me to signal her brow.
“It’s undoubtedly surreal (…) and it’s undoubtedly one thing I get pleasure from.
“Just being able to be that someone who started off as a nobody and became someone really, really good. Being that I think would be a very, very big success for me.”