Australia's Gout set for World Championships debut at 17

Posted : 23 April 2025

Teen sprinter Gout Gout has secured a spot on Australia's team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, scheduled for September. The 17-year-old, whose parents immigrated from South Sudan, will compete in the 200 meters event. He earned his place by clocking an impressive 19.84 seconds, aided by wind, during a race in Perth earlier this month, where he claimed his first national title.

Gout’s rapid development has sparked comparisons to Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt, making him a prominent figure in Australian athletics. With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on the horizon, his rise is seen as a promising sign for the country’s future in track and field. His accomplishments have captured the nation's attention, as he prepares to take on the world's best athletes on the global stage.

"I'm really excited to be chosen for the 200 meters in Tokyo at the World Championships," Gout expressed in a statement by Australian Athletics on Wednesday. "It’s been a goal for me, and I’m looking forward to September, where I’ll see how I stack up against the best athletes in the world."

In addition to Gout, Australia's World Championships team features several other promising young athletes. Among them is 18-year-old Cameron Myers, who won the 1,500-meter national title in Perth. Myers also made history in February, running the fastest-ever mile indoors by an under-20 athlete at the Millrose Games in New York, with a time of 3:47.48.

Eleanor Patterson, the former high jump world champion, was also confirmed for the team. Patterson, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics, will compete in Tokyo aiming for her sixth major championship medal. She recently secured indoor silver in Nanjing, where she finished second behind her fellow Australian Nicola Olyslagers.

Peter Bol, who placed fourth in the 800 meters at the Tokyo Olympics, will also make his return to Japan. Bol, in great form, set a new national record in the 800 meters, clocking 1:43.79 at the Perth championships. His strong performance has made him a key figure in the Australian team heading into the World Championships.

With such a talented group of athletes, Australia is set to make a strong showing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Gout's participation, in particular, highlights the emergence of a new generation of Australian track and field stars who are ready to make their mark on the world stage.

Australia's Gout set for World Championships debut at 17

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