Teen Sensation Gout Gout secures World Athletics Championships spot

At only 17, Gout Gout has officially secured a spot on Australia’s team for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The rising star, known for blistering speed in local races, will debut globally, competing against the world’s elite sprinters.

Gout earned his selection following a string of electrifying performances, highlighted by a wind-assisted 19.84-second sprint last month. Despite narrowly missing the Stawell Gift final, his explosive speed secured him Australia’s only male spot in the 200m event.

“I’m super excited to be picked to run the 200 in Tokyo at the World Championships! That’s what we’ve been aiming for,” Gout said.

“I’m excited for September, joining my first Australian senior team, and testing myself against the very best in athletics.”

Joining Gout in the Australian squad is Lachlan Kennedy, the country’s sole male representative in the 100m. Olympic pole vault champion Nina Kennedy hopes to compete after hamstring surgery, while Jess Hull and Nicola Olyslagers were missing.

Among the 18-athlete squad, notable names include five-time global medallist Eleanor Patterson (high jump) and middle-distance star Peter Bol. The team expects to grow as more athletes meet qualification standards in the coming months.

Andrew Faichney, Australian Athletics General Manager for High Performance, praised the selected athletes for their exceptional performances this season.

“These athletes rank among the world’s best, proving their dominance nationally and globally,” Faichney said.

“Their selection proves their hard work and highlights the important role they’ve played in raising the domestic season’s standards. We can’t wait to see what they achieve in Tokyo and beyond.”