Who is Gout Gout? | Australian All Schools Championships

The excitement surrounding Gout Gout is easily justified. In 10.57-seconds, the gangly 14-year-old with South Sudanese heritage became the fastest Australian Under 16 boy in history, sparking one question – who is Gout Gout?

The tempting answer is the next big thing, but the correct answer is a young teen who loves to run. The line is fine in athletics where excitement is often laced with expectation, and with Gout far from Australia’s first or last sprinting prodigy – it is his story that takes precedence over his times.

One of seven children to parents Monica and Bona, Gout was born in Brisbane in 2007 after his parents migrated to Australia from South Sudan in 2005. The Australian record holder speaks few words by virtue of his humble and shy nature, not yet acquainted with his newfound publicity.

“I like athletics because it is personal. I like that it is individual and the results come down to me,” Gout says.

The sprinter’s rapid progress has witnessed him carve almost four-tenths of a second off his personal best in the space of two months, entering the season as a 10.95-second man who failed to win a medal at last season’s Under 16 Australian Championships. The numbers tell a story, but so does Coach Diane Sheppard:

“Six or eight months ago, he looked like one of those things that blow around in car yards. His arms were out of control,” Sheppard says.

“People are quick to comment saying look how bad his start is, but the kid hasn’t even got full control of his limb length yet!”

Previously an unknown in the athletics world, Gout arrived at Ipswich Grammar in Year 7 where he impressed at the interhouse carnival, proceeding to receive his first pair of spikes as Sheppard assumed coaching duties.  

“Gout came to Ipswich Grammar as a full fee-paying student and they were pushing a rugby kid at me, but I saw him run around and he got right up on his toes. He is a great kid from a great family,” Sheppard says.  

“My biggest thing with the kids is about being humble, and he has got it in bucket loads.”

Attending the same school as fellow athletic talent Jospeh Deng who was also coached by Sheppard, Gout is quick to acknowledge that what now looks like Australian records and competitors asking him for photos is a product of his hard work over the last 14 months.

“I started getting improvements very fast because I was doing barely any training before. My first race was GPS in 2020 for Ipswich Grammar. I won my 100m and 200m, and came third in the 400m,” Gout says.

“I just need to keep putting the hard work in. Hopefully I can run a personal best at the Australian All Schools Championships if the conditions are good. I am going to run the 100m, 200m and the relay.”

Lost in the whirlwind of Gout’s Australian Under 16 record in the 100m has been his prowess over 200m, where the 14-year-old possesses a 21.70 personal best and has his eyes fixed on a second national record of 21.44 – as indicated by his favourite athletes.

“I like Erriyon Knighton because he is a youngster competing up against the best, and Noah Lyles because he is running crazy times,” Gout says.

Training both speed and speed endurance sessions throughout the week with three days of recovery weaved in, Gout and his team are placing a strong emphasis on improving his start and driving to top speed faster, because once he is there:

“It feels good! It is definitely one of the best feelings,” Gout says.

The raw prospect is unsure of how high his ceiling sits and will let his natural development take its course, but only one thing is certain:

“I can go faster. There is always pressure but I am just running,” Gout says.

Gout’s next races await at the Australian All Schools Championships in Adelaide from December 8-12, with tickets to watch him contest the Under 16 100m and 200m events to be purchased HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 24/11/2022