Gout Gout has been a rising star since breaking the national U18 200m record at 15 and clocking a wind-assisted 19.98 in the 200m. The Queensland native, born to South Sudanese parents, has drawn global attention with his blistering pace. But on March 29, 2025, the 17-year-old Australian sprint sensation was struck by a major upset that rocked the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne. What was supposed to be another cross-out name turned out to be a major upset. But what did the fans have to say?

Well, for that, we need to go back to last night. Gout, competing in his first senior race, was outrun by Lachlan Kennedy, a 21-year-old who slashed his personal best to 20.26, securing the win under the bright lights of Lakeside Stadium. Gout, despite a strong effort, finished second with a 20.30, unable to match Kennedy’s late surge in front of a sold-out crowd.

In a showdown that had all the makings of a coronation for the teenage sprint prodigy Gout Gout, it was Lachlan Kennedy who flipped the script and stole the spotlight. Kennedy, fresh off a silver medal at the World Indoors, delivered a statement performance, completing a stunning 100 m- 200 m double and edging out the 17-year-old sensation in a blistering 20.26 seconds.

Initially, true to form, Gout Gout delivered a scorching second 100m, briefly raising the prospect of a dramatic late victory for the Adidas star. In a desperate dash to the finish, both Kennedy and Gout dipped, but Kennedy managed to clinch the win by a mere four-hundredths of a second. Gout, electrifying as ever, was just a step behind at 20.30, proving that this rivalry is only just beginning. “I just wanted to give everyone a good race,” Kennedy said after the win.

“It wouldn’t be fun if he (Gout) just destroyed everyone.” The Lakeside Stadium crowd of 10,000 came expecting to witness the rise of a new sprint king, but Kennedy had other plans. “I’m sorry if I spoiled it a little,” he added with a grin, “but what a great race. You can’t be upset about watching something like that.” Well, Gout may have fallen just short in his senior sprint debut, but if anything, the narrow loss has only sharpened his hunger.

“Like people say, winning feels great, coming second feels bad, and third feels even worse,” he admitted. “So coming second just puts fuel to my fire and ignites that burn.” This is perhaps a good sign as the Australian Championships are just around the corner. And this rivalry will make this interesting. But the fans weren’t too happy with the young Aussie.

Fans on X were quick to react, some fans expressed concern about the hype surrounding Gout. One X user even warned, “This is a huge blow to the image of athletics!” But as the young speedster is dealing with this lieu of online criticisms, the fact of the matter remains that he was outdone in every way possible. Yet, amidst all the fans’ uproar over his dismal performance, some support also emerges for the young athlete.

Fans are stunned by Gout’s upset loss and demand a rematch

The surprising turn of events at the Maurie Plant Meet left fans stunned. Typically composed in high-stakes races, Gout appeared unsettled this time. “Gout was less relaxed, unlike in most of his races, panicked,” noted one fan, capturing the unusual sight of the young star under pressure. Despite the setback, supporters remain optimistic about his future.

“Still, he’s the face of Australian athletics now, at 17. He will only get better,” another fan pointed out, reinforcing the belief that this is just a minor bump in his journey. But after such an unexpected result, how will Gout respond in his next outing? Yet, beyond the initial shock, fans see this race as a learning experience for the rising star. “This is good for Gout; hopefully, he’ll never want to feel this ever again,” a supporter commented, highlighting the motivation that could come from this moment.

With emotions running high, many are already calling for a rematch at the Australian Championships.

“This is really shocking. I want this rematch at the AUS champs,” one fan demanded, eager to see Gout bounce back on a bigger stage. The hype around the young sprinter remains strong, and all eyes will be on him as he prepares for redemption. Will the Australian Championships provide the perfect stage for Gout to prove himself once again? Well, that remains to be seen!