“His name is Guot”, informed Australian sprint sensation “Gout Gout’s” father, Bona Guot, in his interview with 7News Australia in December 2024. So how did Guot become Gout Gout? Well, that’s quite a story. When the family left Sudan to go to Egypt before finally arriving in Australia, the Sudanese government made an Arabic error and hence, Guot became Gout. The track sensation’s dad is not too happy about it, “I know Gout Gout is a disease name, but, I don’t want my son to be called a disease name”, Bona Guot shared in the same interview. Although the genesis of Gout Gout’s name is quite funny, there’s nothing funny about the way the 17-year-old runs. 

Thanks to Gout’s raw talent, he has consistently been compared to Usain Bolt, the single most revered sprinter of all time. In December 2024, he clocked 20.04s in the 200m event at the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane. For some perspective, Bolt’s speed at the same age was 19.93s. But Gout came dangerously close to flouting the Jamaican legend’s record when in the Queensland Athletics Championships, he clocked a wind-assisted time of 19.98s. But the 17-year-old’s path to such glory hasn’t always been the smoothest. Born in South Sudan, his family, seeking refuge from conflict, relocated to Australia, where Gout would eventually lace up his running shoes and discover his talent. And there’s been something more in that story. 

Gout Gout explains his roots

In a rare and candid moment, Gout Gout opened up like never before. During a recent Channel 7 News Spotlight documentary, the teenage sprinting sensation revealed the side of him that fans rarely get to see—the humble, grounded boy behind the record-breaking speed. 

The documentary, released on YouTube, marked the first time Gout publicly shared the raw details of his background. Yet, when asked about his family, his first words were beautifully simple: “They’re great.” No fanfare, no embellishments—just pure, unfiltered love. But as the interview unfolded, Gout’s face softened when he spoke about his mother, Monica. In his eyes, she’s more than just the woman who raised him—she’s the backbone of his journey.

In the Channel 7 News Spotlight documentary, Gout spoke with quiet admiration for the man who taught him what it means to persevere. His father, who once uprooted his entire life to give his children a better future, is now his steady pillar of support. “My dad. He works a lot, so he’s in and out, but he obviously supports where he can,” Gout shared with an appreciative nod. While Gout’s name blazes through the headlines, it’s his family that keeps him grounded.

The teenager, whose feet barely seem to touch the track as he flies through the 200m, remains firmly rooted in the values his parents instilled: humility, hard work, and unyielding love. And these emotions remained visible when Gout Gout spoke about Usain Bolt. 

Not the second Usain Bolt, but the first of his name 

This month, Gout Gout delivered yet another jaw-dropping performance, clocking a blistering 19.98 seconds in the men’s 200m race at the Queensland State Championships. The crowd roared. The cameras flashed. It should have been a moment for the history books—a teenage phenom breaking the 20-second barrier. But there was a catch.

The tailwind measured at +3.6 m/s, soaring beyond the legal limit of +2.0 m/s. The result? Gout’s record-breaking time was invalidated. The wind may have pushed him forward, but the cruel rules of athletics pulled him back. For many, it would have been a devastating setback. For Gout, it was just fuel for the fire. The teenager’s determination was crystal clear in the Channel 7 News Spotlight documentary, where he made one thing known: he’s not chasing Usain Bolt’s shadow—he’s forging his own.

“I mean, obviously in the moment it feels great because everyone wants to be compared to Usain Bolt—the fastest athlete alive,” Gout admitted. “And at times, it does get a bit overwhelming. But now that I’ve grown up and I’m a bit mature, my circle really helps me stay level. I’m just basically trying to make a name for myself.” Despite the comparisons—his long, loping stride, the towering frame, and the uncanny resemblance to the Jamaican icon—Gout Gout refuses to be a carbon copy of greatness. He embraces the parallels, but he’s chasing his own legacy.

“Although I do run like Usain Bolt, I do maybe look like him in a couple of ways,” he said with a grin. “I’m just trying to be myself and just trying to be the next Gout.” The 17-year-old’s humility is as striking as his speed. Even as he brushes against world records, he remains grounded—a teenager driven by passion, not fame. His circle of family, coaches, and friends keeps him steady, reminding him that while it’s an honor to be compared to Bolt, his actual mission is to become the first and only Gout Gout.