Gout Gout declares time is on his side after missing the final at the world championships in Tokyo
The future is Gout Gout’s to own and that was the teen sprint sensation’s vow after missing the final in the 200m at the world athletics championship having eclipsed Usain Bolt by making the semis.
The future is also bright for fellow Australian sprint star Torrie Lewis who ran two personal bests, in the 100m then the 200m, narrowly missing the final in the latter despite a stirring run.
With the enthralled world watching, 17-year-old Gout was no match for his older, bigger, stronger rivals in his semi-final in Tokyo as the youngest in the entire field finished fourth in 20.36 seconds, slightly slower than his heat time and outside his Australian Record of 20.02 seconds.
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He needed to break 20-seconds to make the final, but as his raking of 18 in the world outstripped his age, Gout knows he has one big thing up his sleeve as he aims at next year’s Commonwealth Games and the 2027 World Championships.
“I’m just a kid right now, but knowing that I can still compete as a kid and get to this point is exciting. The thing I have on them all is I’ve got time,” he said.
“They may not have 15 years but I have. I know I can keep running and I know that if I can do this at 17, I’ll be even better at 25. Lots to come.
“I’ve taken away so much from this Championships. How to handle pressure, how to handle the call rooms and all of that, just all the things you wouldn’t really expect about the World Championships is what I’m going to take away for sure.”
By making the semis, Gout outdid Olympic legend Bolt who didn’t get out of the heats at his first major championship, the 2004 Olympics.
Lewis was a close fourth in her semi in a world class time of 22.69 seconds, also, slower than her personal best in the heat (22.56).
But running her fourth race in six days, having set a new Australian record in the 100m last Saturday, she too walked away proud and knowing better was to come.
“I was a bit tired tonight and wasn’t able to finish that last 50 like I wanted. But I’m happy with the Championships after running two personal bests this week,” Lewis said.
“I didn’t really have anything to lose tonight and I gave it everything. I felt like my bend was faster tonight and I fought well to the line. But I need to get stronger so I can hold my speed for longer and reach the level for making the final.”
