Seventeen-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout put in a composed and confident performance during the heats of the men’s 200 metres at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, securing his place in the semi-finals after clocking 20.23 seconds.
Competing under the bright lights of Tokyo’s National Stadium, Gout finished third in his heat behind Jamaica’s Bryan Levell and Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba — both more experienced on the international circuit.
Although he was slow out of the blocks and had to make up ground after the bend, Gout’s finish was strong. He said afterwards:
“The start’s obviously not my strong suit but as soon as I get into my running I’m chilling.”
The heat result places Gout among the automatic qualifiers, giving him a shot at the semi-finals. He enters one of the three semi-final heats scheduled for Thursday, drawn in a favourable lane.
Gout’s personal best (legal wind) stands at 20.02 seconds, set earlier this season. Breaking the 20-second barrier is already a known ambition for him.
Significance of the moment
- This is Gout’s first senior World Championship appearance, and progressing beyond the heats confirms that he can handle the pressure of big-time competition.
- His performance has drawn comparisons to sprint legends, given his speed, composed finishes, and young age.
- As one of the youngest in the field, Gout’s advancement to the semi-finals marks him as one to watch not just for this championship but for the years ahead.