Rising Australian sprint star Gout Gout made headlines once again, this time showcasing his speed over 400 meters and surpassing Noah Lyles’ personal best at a track meet in Brisbane on Saturday, February 15.
At just 17 years old, Gout clocked an impressive 46.20 seconds in the one-lap sprint, a performance nearly a full second faster than Lyles’ 400m best of 47.04 seconds, set back in 2016. The reigning Olympic 100m champion has only recorded one official 400m time on the World Athletics database, making Gout’s achievement even more remarkable.
Last month, Gout had the opportunity to train with six-time world champion Noah Lyles and his coach, Lance Brauman, in Clermont, Florida. During his visit, he also appeared on Beyond the Records, a podcast co-hosted by Lyles, Grant Holloway, and Rai Benjamin. Displaying confidence and ambition, Gout playfully issued a challenge to the American sprint star.
“I’m trying to make a statement, coming out with a bang,” Gout declared during the podcast, emphasizing his hunger to compete at the highest level. “Whatever it takes to show Noah that I’m coming for that spot, I’ll do it!”
While his recent 400m performance is still shy of the Australian under-18 record of 45.64 seconds, set by fellow young sprinter Terrell Thorne in December, Gout continues to make history in other events. At the same Brisbane meet, he shattered a long-standing national and Oceania record in the 200m. His time of 20.04 seconds edged out the 20.06 mark set by Australian legend Peter Norman, who won silver at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
Gout is also making waves on the global stage. With his 19.84-second 200m sprint as a 17-year-old in 2021, he now ranks second on the under-18 all-time list, trailing only American sensation Erriyon Knighton.
With each race, Gout Gout is proving to be one of the brightest young talents in track and field. His relentless drive and record-breaking performances suggest that his rise to the top is only just beginning.
