In a performance that has sent shockwaves through the world of athletics, 17-year-old Australian schoolboy Gout Gout has achieved the seemingly impossible by breaking the fabled 10-second barrier in the 100 metres at a school event.
The teenage sensation, who only took up the sport seriously a few years ago, clocked an astonishing 9.97 seconds at the Queensland School Sport Athletics Championships, a time that would have qualified him for last year's World Championship final.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the context. This wasn't a professional meet with elite competition and perfect conditions – this was a school championship, making Gout's performance one of the most extraordinary in the history of junior athletics.
A Star in the Making
Gout's journey to this historic moment began just three years ago when he first discovered his talent for sprinting. Coaches immediately recognised his rare potential, with his natural power and explosive acceleration marking him as a special prospect.
The young athlete, who balances his training with academic studies, has now put himself on the map as potentially the next great sprinter to emerge from Australia.
Olympic Dreams Now Reality
This sub-10-second run changes everything for the teenager. His time would have placed him sixth in the Tokyo Olympic final and makes him an instant contender for future international competitions.
Athletics Australia officials are reportedly astonished by the performance, with insiders suggesting Gout will now be fast-tracked into elite development programs ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics and beyond.
The athletics world is now watching with bated breath to see if this schoolboy sensation can replicate this performance on the professional stage and potentially challenge the world's best sprinters in the coming years.
