Brisbane: Teen sprinting prodigy Gout Gout showcased his talent at the Australian athletics junior championships on Friday, effortlessly winning his heat for the 100 metres with a time of 10.19 seconds.
The 18-year-old athlete, who made headlines last week with his world-record-breaking performance in the 200m at the senior championships, had a lot to say in response to his detractors in the USA. During the heats of the under-20 division, Gout cruised through with a supportive wind of +0.3 metres per second, setting the stage for the upcoming semi-finals and finals scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
“It was a solid run. I definitely conserved energy for the semi-finals and finals, and I’m looking forward to bringing some of these boys along with me. Overall, it was a great run, and I can’t wait for tomorrow,” Gout expressed after the race. He remains confident, believing there’s more speed to unleash. “Last week was an impressive run, and I aim to keep the momentum going and put on a good show for everyone.”
Gout also addressed the backlash from American critics, including Olympic gold medallist Justin Gatlin, who recently dismissed his 19.67-second 200m performance. The young sprinter commented on the negativity, saying, “There will always be haters. It’s a sign that you’re doing something right, so I don’t let it bother me." He added that the criticism might stem from his remarkable speed, which seems to unsettle some.
When questioned if the criticism fuels his determination, he affirmed, “Absolutely. It inspires me to push myself even further in more significant races and to achieve even faster times.”
Stay tuned for more updates on Gout Gout’s journey.