Aussie teenage sprinting prodigy Gout Gout has opened up about the pivotal moment where his life changed forever.
The 17-year-old track star has emerged as a household name in Australia in recent months, shattering records and drawing global attention as his speed sees him compared to a young Usain Bolt.
Earlier this month, he stunned fans in Queensland by clocking the quickest 200m time in the world this year.
Speaking to TV sport icon Bruce McAvaney, Gout said the moment that launched hi on his journey to superstardom began while he was running against other students from his school.
‘That was a great moment. I was running in the inter-house [competition] and I was against the state champion for his age group,’ Gout said on Seven’s Spotlight.
‘He was a year younger than me at the time. And I basically beat him and coach came up to me and she was like, I believe you can be someone, you can be one of the fastest in Australia, fastest in the world.
Sprinting prodigy Gout Gout has revealed the pivotal moment where his life changed forever
Earlier this month Gout stunned fans by clocking the quickest 200m time in the world this year
The sprint phenom has drawn many comparisons to a young Usain Bolt – something he says can be ‘overwhelming’
‘And that really touched me. And from then I’ve been training with [coach] Di Sheppard, and we’ve just been building on for that.’
Gout captured national attention by besting Peter Norman’s national 200m record that had stood since 1968.
‘I wouldn’t say overwhelming, but it was definitely, it was hard to process,’ he said.
‘I’ve never done that thing before and no one’s done it for many years obviously. So it was strange.
‘But I definitely enjoyed the moment and really process it well.’
The teenager says the comparisons to sprint legend Usain Bolt are flattering, but he’s trying to not get ahead of himself.
‘In the moment it feels great because everyone wants to be compared to Usain Bolt, the fastest athlete alive,’ he said.
‘At times it does get a bit overwhelming, but now that I’ve grown up, I’m a bit mature and my circle really helps me stay level and I’m just trying to make a name for myself.
‘Although I do run like Usain Bolt and I do maybe look like him, I’m just trying to be myself and trying to be the next Gout.’
Gout will next competing at the Maurie Plant meet in Melbourne on March 29.
