Gout Gout Shows His True Colors With Strong Comment for Usain Bolt at World Athletics Championship

Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout arrived at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo carrying the weight of extraordinary expectations, largely fueled by incessant comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt. The 17-year-old phenom, who has been breaking age records and national marks with astonishing regularity, found himself competing on track and field’s biggest stage while being measured against the greatest sprinter of all time.

These comparisons only intensified when Bolt himself was present in Tokyo’s National Stadium to witness Gout’s senior international debut. Despite the immense pressure, the young Australian demonstrated both his exceptional talent and mental fortitude by advancing through his 200-meter heat with a time of 20.23 seconds, securing his place in the semifinals and moving one step closer to potential glory.

Following his qualifying performance, Gout Gout offered a thoughtful perspective on the Bolt comparisons during a post-race interview with Citius Mag. He acknowledged the Jamaican icon’s status while maintaining a healthy focus on his own journey, stating, “I mean, he is the GOAT and hopefully, I mean, I just got out of the semis, so it’s definitely great to know that I’m up against top 24 in the world, pretty much. It’s a great experience, you know, Usain Bolt, he’s the athlete everyone looks up to, so I just got to keep looking up to him and try and be like him too.”

Rather than shying away from the comparisons, the Aussie embraces them as a source of inspiration while maintaining a realistic perspective on his current stage of development. Gout’s performance in the heats showcased both his potential and areas for growth, characteristics typical of a young athlete, even one of his prodigious talent. Drawing lane eight in the fifth of six heats, he produced a characteristically strong finish to claim third place behind Jamaica’s Bryan Levell (19.84s) and Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba (20.06s).

Gout’s start was not his strongest attribute, but once he reached his cruising speed, he demonstrated the remarkable stride length and finishing power that have drawn comparisons to Bolt. His time of 20.23 seconds positioned him as the 12th-fastest qualifier overall and proved sufficient to advance automatically to the next round. Gout Gout’s debut at these World Championships represents more than just another athletic competition; it symbolizes the passing of the torch to a new generation of sprinters who grew up watching Bolt redefine what was possible in track and field.

While the comparisons are inevitable given similar physical attributes and running styles, Gout appears understandably focused on developing his own identity rather than replicating Bolt’s career path. And as he gears up for his 200m semis, Gout is the very picture of confidence.

The odds are not in his favor but Gout Gout is unfazed

Although he blazed through his heat with ease, Gout Gout faces a tough draw and the strong likelihood of elimination in his semifinal. With just two athletes able to qualify to the final, Gout will have to overcome the likes of Bryan Levell and Letsile Tebogo. Including the two, Gout’s draw contains three other sub-20 sprinters, while the 17-year-old’s PB is 20.02s.

Crossing that 20 second mark is the ultimate goal. But to attempt it in the semifinal of the World Championships? It’s quite the ask but Gout was nerveless when asked about the prospect. “Sub-20, that’s the goal, so let’s see in the semi,” said the teenager. “Just go out there, run like a horse, run like the wind.”

However, it’s easier said than done with Levell and Tebogo ready to show the Australian just what it takes to make the final of the 200m. After all, he was handily outpaced by the duo during the heats. Nonetheless Gout isn’t shrinking away from the coming challenge. “I’ve just got to take the experience into the semi-finals. Hopefully I get a good start, and then I’m off like a butterfly,” he said.

Can his performance match his confidence? All will be revealed on Thursday, 8:02 AM ET. In the meantime, let us know your predictions in the comments below.