It’s not easy being thrust into the spotlight of a legacy that’s so big. But Gout Gout, the Aussie speedster, knows that feeling all too well. After all, at just 17, he’s already been turning heads, breaking records, and has even been called “the next Usain Bolt.” But now, after his big victory at the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships, he finally shared his thoughts on being compared to the Lightning Bolt. So, what did he do that made track and field compare him again to the legend?
Well, on 13th April, in the 200m final, Gout clocked an impressive 19.84 seconds. However, due to a +2.2 m/s tailwind, the time wasn’t eligible for official records. Despite this, it positioned him as the second-fastest Under-20 sprinter in history under any conditions. In the process, he surpassed legends like Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin at the same age. But wait, this race was really important for him.
Earlier in the week, Gout lit up the track with two blazing 9.99-second runs in the 100m at the Australian Championships. Now, mind you, both were wind-assisted, but fast enough to stir up serious chatter. And with that chatter came criticism. Some fans shrugged it off as hype, questioning if the Bolt comparisons were just smoke and mirrors. The whispers turned into noise: Too soon. Overrated. Not ready.
But Gout heard it all—and felt the weight and pressure. “Everyone wants to be the next star.” And when you’re being compared to Usain Bolt at just 17, every step on the track feels a little heavier. But Gout didn’t fold—he flew. In the 200m, he dropped a staggering 19.84; the performance spoke volumes. He knows the Bolt comparisons come with both praise and pressure.
But he’s not trying to live in someone else’s shadow. “I was… trying to be Usain Bolt,” he said. “Being compared to him (Usain Bolt) is great… but I want people younger to be like, You’re going to be the next Gout Gout.” The pressure’s real, no doubt—but so is the fire in him. Gout isn’t just here to match the legends—he wants to become one. And he has proved it before, too.
Not just a fast time, Gout’s unique edge vs Bolt runs like the wind
If you thought Gout is a recent phenomenon, then you’re wrong. He was already creating waves back in high school. In fact, at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in December 2024, the now 17-year-old Aussie sprinter, just 16 at the time, absolutely tore up the 200m with a blistering 20.04 seconds. That time not only set a new personal record, but also crushed Usain Bolt’s 16-year-old record of 20.13 seconds, set back in 2003.
When Bolt caught wind of it, he couldn’t help but say, “He looks like young me,” seeing the similarities in their sprinting styles. And honestly, the comparisons to Bolt aren’t just talk. No, they’re the real deal. Both sprinters have coaches who’ve mastered the art of sprinting. Gout’s coach, Dianne Sheppard, focuses on explosive starts, smart strength training, and a solid recovery routine to protect his growing body.
Sound familiar? That’s the same playbook Bolt followed early on with his coach, Glen Mills, who mixed max-velocity drills, Olympic lifts, and, let’s be real, probably enough massages to make anyone jealous. But here’s where it gets interesting — Gout’s still baking. He’s got his sights set on LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032, and everything in his program is about long-term greatness. Bolt? Different beast.
By 21, he wasn’t dreaming of the Olympics — he was owning them, ripping off world records and turning gold medals into a personal collection. While Bolt trained to destroy the clock, Gout is being carefully built to last. So, is Gout the next Usain Bolt? Too early to say. But if you’re not paying attention yet, you’re already behind.
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