If you think about it, Usain Bolt’s record of 9.58 seconds set the bar. That was back in 2009, and here we are, years later, still in awe of how insane that time is. What made Bolt’s time so special wasn’t just his speed – it was the way his body was built for sprinting. He had the perfect mix of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which gave him explosive power, and an efficient stride. Despite being 6’4″, a height that usually works against sprinters, Bolt turned it into an advantage, covering more ground with each stride and reaching top speed quicker than anyone expected. His form was also key: high knee lifts, stiff impacts, and efficient energy transfer made all the difference.

Then, fast forward to 2024, and here comes Gout Gout. This kid is only 16 years of age and yet he is breaking records in sprints and dashing, but he is just too good! He even beat one of Usain Bolt’s statistics: the 200-meter record that Bolt did during the Under-20 World Championship in 2002. Gout crossed it by just 0.01 seconds, finishing at 20.60 seconds, and it’s a big deal because that record had been set for 22 years! Reddit users only gushed about it after the picture of Gout was posted on the platform as they wondered whether this is the next big thing in track and field. It’s wild to think that a 16-year-old could do something like this, and now people are already calling him the “next Usain Bolt.”

What’s even more interesting in the picture is Gout’s body type. Standing tall at 6’2”, he has a pretty distinct and amazing femur/tibia ratio that is actually helpful to him. In other words, his tibia is the same as his femur which is beneficial for deep joint flexing – perfect for sprinting! He has the superb build for a sprinter. This sparked a number of discussions with Reddit users noting how this genetic edge appears to fit hand in glove with Gout’s meteoric ascent. Despite fans being hyped he took a big giant leap when he signed a contract with Adidas in November 2024.  Reddit has witnessed lots of discussion on whether Gout has the right body type to break records that will leave others for years to come.

Usain Bolt’s Warning for Gout Gout

We all remember Gout Gout broke Usain Bolt’s record, but what do you think Bolt’s reaction would be? The teenager was able to break one of Usain Bolt’s precious records and he had only kind words for him. For more simplicity, Bolt retold his story in an episode of the High-Performance Podcast and offered nuggets of advice to Gout.

“When I started out, I didn’t understand the concept of ‘being great’ because I was young,” Bolt said. “I was winning on talent alone, but when I got to the professional level, I realized I had to work harder.” That’s a piece of advice worth taking, coming from the greatest sprinter of all time. But wait, fans’ reaction to Gout’s body type! Oh, they are just stunned!

A fan wrote, “His femur to tibia ratio isn’t favorable. Look at yohan Blake or Usain Bolt. Their ratios are <1, which means their tibias are longer. This provides an advantage for sprinting. Of course there are other factors, but if we are going to talk about femur to tibia ratio, it should be noted that gout’s isn’t ideal.” This ratio, where a longer tibia offers greater stride efficiency and joint leverage, is often seen in elite sprinters. And it seems this user doesn’t see it, in this case!

Another fan remarked, “Nothing crazy, he is just thin. It is an optical illusion.” And sure, at first glance, that might seem true or it might be, Gout Gout’s slender build can make him look almost impossibly lightweight in photos. However, the reality is that he’s 68 kg (150 lbs), which is pretty standard for an elite sprinter of his height and age.

One fan summed it up perfectly: “The torso to leg ratio is absolutely nuts coupled with the slender build.” And honestly, they’re onto something. Gout’s unique physique isn’t just about looking cool—it helps with energy transfer during sprints, giving him that explosive start and allowing him to maintain crazy top speeds.

It’s an encouraging talk: Gout’s best marks – 20.60 in 200m and 10.29 in 100m – would be indiscernible from Bolt in the early days. Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming has also taken a liking to Gout stating it’s pretty cool how similar he is to Bolt.

Of course, Bolt, when he was much younger and it was 2003, clocked 20.40 in the 200m World Youth record, a record that Gout is now breathing down the neck of. Yes, he was not exempted from injuries, but by the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Bolt was stepping on for double gold. When observing how Gout is performing, seemingly continuing to grow in popularity, who wouldn’t think about his future as a new marvel of track and field?

One fan pointed out, “Honestly, genetics only give a very slight advantage at the top level. Training, technique, and hard work will take you much further!” And it’s true. Gout Gout has the natural gifts of a sprinter. Another observer chimed in, “Take a look at his running style for more evidence. It’s clear his proportions are very unique.” His distinctive build and mechanics have fans and experts buzzing about his potential on the global stage.

Gout himself is keeping things humble despite the growing comparisons to Usain Bolt. Speaking to Fox Sports in April, he said, “It’s pretty cool because Usain Bolt is arguably the greatest athlete of all time, and just being compared to him is a great feeling. Obviously, I’m Gout Gout, so I’m trying to make a name for myself. If I can get to the level he was, that would be a great achievement.” It’s clear that while the young sprinter admires Bolt, he’s focused on carving out his own legacy.

Moving to the future, Gout will be twenty years old when the next Olympics, LA 2028, will commence which is the right age for those who want to participate in the Olympics. The future looks incredibly bright for Gout Gout, and one thing’s for sure, this is a name that we will start to hear quite frequently in the years to come.