Star Teen Gout Gout Qualifies at Championships After Record to Beat Usain Bolt's Time at Same Age

Move over Usain Bolt, because Gout Gout is coming for the crown of fastest man alive.

Five days after setting a new under-20 record in the 200 meters, the 18-year-old Gout qualified for the 100-meter semifinals at the Australian junior athletics championships with a time of 10.19 seconds on Friday.

Per the Associated Press, Gout's run in the 100 came after he ran the 200 meters on Sunday in 19.67 seconds to break the previous under-20 mark that had been held by Erriyon Knighton since 2022 (19.69 seconds).

Bolt's best time in the 200 meters prior to his 20th birthday was 19.93 seconds, done in 2004 at the age of 17.

This is the second time Gout, who turned 18 on Dec. 29, broke the 20-second mark in this event. He clocked a 19.84-second run last season, but the AP noted his time wasn't officially recognized due to it being wind-assisted.

"This is what I've been waiting for," Gout said after his 200-meter win. "There's a big weight off my shoulders knowing I ran it legally, and I have the speed and my body to run times like that. So, it definitely feels great, and ready for more."

Bolt would win his first Olympic gold medals in 2008 at the age of 21. He won the 100 and 200 meters, setting then-world records in both events.

Gout has won the 100 and 200 meters at the Australian national championships in the under-18 and under-20 disciplines every year since 2023. He will look to extend that streak on Saturday when he runs in the 200-meter semifinal.