Australian teenage sensation Gout Gout made her mark in the record books when she became the fastest 16-year-old in history in the 200 metres.
The teenager ran the 200m in 20.04 seconds during the Australian Schools’ Championships in Brisbane on Saturday, breaking Peter Norman’s national record when he won silver at the 1968 Olympics.
His time is the fastest ever by a 16-year-old and the second-fastest by an under-18 athlete behind Erriyon Knighton’s 19.84 second run as a 17-year-old in 2021.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Gout said.
“I can’t process it right now, but I think when I go to bed tonight I’ll think about it. These are grown people. And me, I’m just a kid and I’m bringing them (down) down.”
“I was watching that record, but I didn’t think it would come this year. I thought it would come maybe next year, the year after that.”
Gout, who will be 17 later this month, ran the fourth-fastest 100m by an Australian woman in 10.04s on Friday.
At 6ft 2in, Gout has earned comparisons to Jamaican legend Usain Bolt for his speed and running style.
Australia’s ABC said Gout will travel to the United States next month to train with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.
The son of migrants from war-torn South Sudan, Gout lives in the Brisbane suburb of Ipswich.
The 2032 Olympics will be held in the Australian city when Gout is 24 years old.