Australian teenager Gout Gout, who has been touted as the next Usain Bolt because of his sensational sprints, has claimed the silver medal at the U20 World Championships.
The 16-year-old, who was born in Brisbane after his parents migrated from South Sudan, set a new personal best of 20.60 seconds during the 200m final in Lima, Peru.
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He came second only to 18-year-old South African Bayanda Walaza (20.54). British Jake Odey-Jordan came third, claiming the bronze medal with a score of 20.81.
Bolt, who was just shy of 16 at the time, ran 20.61 seconds when he took part in the event in 2002. It means Gout ran 0.01 seconds faster than Bolt’s 2002 time.
“I’m feeling really relieved after a long-two weeks of being in Lima,” Gout was quoted as saying post-race by news.com.au.
“I’ve been training, grinding and just waiting patiently for this race to happen.
“Now that it’s done, I’m really glad and ready to get in my bed and rest up for the (4x100m) relay for tomorrow.”
Earlier this year, Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming likened Gout to Jamaican legend Bolt. According to ABC, the teenager described the comparison as “pretty cool”.
Bolt, who has now retired, won eight Olympic gold medals and is world-record holder in the 100m and 200m sprints.
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Athletics Australia said on X: “Gout caps off an unbelievable night for Australia, securing our 6th medal of the day and 10th of the competition!”
Australian sprinter Torrie Lewis picked up the silver medal in the women’s 200m race as she trailed behind British Virgin Islands competitor Adaejah Hodge.
