Gout Gout: The Rising Star of Australian Sprinting
It’s no easy feat to be labeled the next big thing. While there’s a whirlwind of excitement and potential, there’s also an avalanche of expectations. This is the delicate balance that 16-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout and his coach Di Sheppard have been navigating throughout this year. Their journey began when a viral video showcased the young Queenslander effortlessly outpacing a group of schoolboy sprinters, his long strides drawing comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt.
The comparisons to Bolt have been plentiful, but Gout, who is the third of seven children born to South Sudanese immigrants Monica and Bona Gout, has taken it all in stride. He acknowledges that being mentioned alongside the fastest man in history is “pretty cool,” but he is adamant that his aim is different. “I’m Gout Gout, and I want to carve out my own legacy,” he asserts.
The buzz surrounding Gout began before he left Queensland, but it has only intensified with each performance. In August, he secured a silver medal in the 200m at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, competing against athletes up to two years his senior, and clocked a personal best of 20.60 seconds.
That achievement was enough for Adidas to sign him to a professional contract in October. Just days later, he further showcased his talent by achieving a personal best of 20.29 seconds at the Queensland All Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane. This remarkable performance not only set Australian under-18 and under-20 records but also marked the fastest time by any Australian in over three decades, placing him fourth on the national all-time list. Gout is still just 16 years old, with the renowned 1968 Olympic silver medallist Peter Norman’s record of 20.06 seconds now within reach.
The athletics community is buzzing with excitement over Gout’s potential, with Olympic champion Sally Pearson and prominent commentator Bruce McAvaney among those predicting he could become Australia’s fastest man. Given that he is expected to peak around the time of the Brisbane Olympic Games in 2032, the spotlight on him is only set to grow.
Both Sheppard and Gout’s manager James Templeton are confident he will soon earn the title of Australia’s fastest man. However, they are committed to keeping his feet planted firmly on the ground and protecting him from the challenges that often accompany early fame in sports.
Sheppard recalls a conversation with Gout shortly after their return from Peru. Gout said, “What we did was pretty significant, right?” She agreed, saying, “Yes, it was really big, but we aren’t treating it like that, are we?” He nodded in agreement and said, “No, we’re not.”
“We both recognized it as an important milestone, but we also understood that it was just one chapter in a much longer story,” she explains.
As the athletics coach at Ipswich Grammar School, a prestigious school in the working-class area west of Brisbane, Sheppard has worked with countless teenagers. She first noticed Gout when he was 13, accompanying a friend to a trial for the GPS Championships in 2020.
“I observed him running on the track, and there was something unique about his movement,” she recalls. “I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but my instincts screamed at me: who is that boy?”
Sheppard has a knack for spotting talent; she previously guided fellow Sudanese-Australian Joseph Deng into athletics a decade ago. Deng went on to break the Australian 800m record and competed in the Paris Olympics this year. Despite her enthusiasm for Gout’s potential, Sheppard has taken a measured approach, initially having him train just twice a week while he continued to play football. Eventually, she sat him down and said, “I believe you can achieve great things.”
She has continued to nurture his development carefully, addressing his growth spurts, honing his technique, and instilling discipline in his training regimen. She emphasizes the importance of athlete accountability, stating, “It’s their journey – you cannot shape someone into a champion unless they are willing to embrace it.”
However, the rapidity of his progress has astonished her. While she anticipated he would clock around 20.50 seconds this year, he has exceeded expectations, leading her to be cautious about making further predictions. “I had initially projected a record of 20.06 for 2026, but it could come sooner if we maintain our trajectory,” she notes.
There’s a surge of interest in Gout ahead of the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane. Photograph: Sarah Reed/Getty Images
So far, she believes he is handling the increasing attention “exceptionally well.” “I’ve had many discussions with Gout about various aspects of this journey over the past two years. They need to be informed; you can’t shield them from reality because it will inevitably catch them off guard. Keeping them grounded is essential.”
Every stride taken is a step towards success, and the road to the top is a long and winding one. Gout’s calm demeanor is a significant asset to his athletic pursuits. As Sheppard puts it, “He’s a laid-back and cheerful young man, which makes him an invaluable member of our team, always radiating positive energy.”
As he prepares for the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane, Gout will compete in both the 100m and 200m events. His primary aim is to break the national under-18 record of 10.27 seconds, previously set by Sebastian Sultana. Given his recent strides in the 200m, expectations are high for him in the 100m as well.
Looking further ahead, Gout and his coaches are aiming for a significant achievement in the 200m. The qualifying standard for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo stands at 20.16 seconds, while Usain Bolt’s under-18 record is 20.13 seconds. Gout is poised to challenge these benchmarks this summer.
After the school athletics season concludes, Gout will continue his training in Florida alongside Olympic champion Noah Lyles and coach Lance Brauman. This experience promises to offer invaluable insights into reaching peak performance.
Though the opportunity to train with elite athletes may feel surreal, Sheppard remains focused on the hard work ahead for Gout to fully realize his potential. She emphasizes that they are still at the base camp of Everest, with many more milestones to conquer.
Despite his aspirations, Gout may face competition from his own family. Sheppard mentions a younger sibling determined to outpace him on the track.
In conclusion, every accomplishment serves as a stepping stone toward even greater success. With commitment and a supportive environment, Gout is well-positioned to leave his mark in the world of sprinting.
