Dubbed Next Usain Bolt, Gout Gout Almost Didn’t Start Track and Field Career

Gout Gout is a name that has been making headlines all over the world in recent days. But why is that so? The track and field athlete surpassed none other than Usain Bolt’s 200m world record for the 16-year-old sprinters out there. The Jamaican ran 20.13 in 2003, but this time the Aussie prodigy displayed an enormous pace, running a time of 20.04 seconds.

This performance sparked a plethora of conversations in the community, with many predicting he will surpass Bolt’s senior world record in the coming years as he continues to mature in the sport. However, despite all the praise, a recent social media user asserted that a single interaction between a friend and Gout, had it not occurred, could have significantly altered the prodigy’s trajectory.

The conversation that changed everything for Gout Gout

Gout’s rise to popularity was mostly because of the 200m feat, but an X user who goes by Bryan Friedrich posted the 16-year-old’s 100m PB, which the Aussie achieved a day before his major record. At the Australian All Schools Championships, he ran a blistering time of 10.04 seconds, assisted by a 3.4 tailwind. As seen in the video, he was miles ahead of any other youngsters, showcasing his hidden potential in a track that is yet to mature.

“This kid will break all of Usain Bolt’s records. 10.04 at 16 is incredible. Thoughts, @leighdiffey?” Friedrich openly asked the question to Leigh Diffey, who is an NBC Sports broadcaster. Surely, the way the 16-year-old ran easily blew anyone’s mind. Gout is a generational talent, and only a select few of these athletes reach the pinnacle of their sport by consistently refining their skills in the professional arena.

Moreover, Diffey had a tale to tell, stating, “Bryan, he’s incredible. One of my oldest friends in life discovered him playing soccer and convinced him to try athletics. He attends the school in Queensland where I was a PE teacher for a few years, so this story is incredibly close to me, and I’m so excited about his future.” This was a big revelation from the NBC Sports broadcaster.

According to Diffey, originally, Gout was a soccer player. However, one of their old friends encouraged the youngster to try athletics, which ultimately transformed him into the world-renowned athlete he is today. Furthermore, the broadcaster was a PE teacher in the same school where the prodigy went, for which his whole rise to fame in the sport felt more personal to him. The 16-year-old Aussie is surely a sensation out there and an example for many up-and-coming athletes of the sport. However, a few track legends eventually heard the noise he made, and they had nothing but appreciation and advice for him.

Usain Bolt and track legend weighed in on the record

“He looks like young me,” said Usain Bolt when he watched Gout Gout in action, breaking his 200m world age-16 record. It was no less than a compliment from the fastest man in the world himself, who currently has two senior world records under his name. But could the Australian be the next Usain Bolt everyone is talking about? While it’s still too early to predict what the 16-year-old can achieve in the sport, Michael Johnson also made a point about Gout following the Jamaican legend’s comment on the prodigy.

“Great performances! Fun to think about his potential. But even with such great potential, realizing it is a whole different thing. The greater the potential, the higher the risk. He’ll need a solid team around him to help him navigate the journey,” stated the owner of Grand Slam Track. Johnson is aware that prodigies of this caliber often fade away, rarely evolving into the elite athlete that garners widespread attention. However, he emphasized that if Gout receives sufficient opportunities, he has the potential to become the next big thing in the sport.