The 17-year-old has said Usain Bolt's words have strengthened his belief that he can rise to the top after his World Championships semifinal debut.
Australian teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout believes he is just getting started on his journey to the top, despite narrowly missing out on the final in his World Athletics Championships debut.
Gout, 17, finished fourth in his men’s 200m semi-final at the Championships in Tokyo, falling just short of qualifying for his first-ever major final.
He started great in the heats, putting in the work to clock 20.23 seconds and complete the podium, but the competition from the semifinal proved too strong.
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However, words of encouragement from multiple world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive, have only intensified the young Australian's ambition to become the best sprinter in the world.
Usain Bolt has always spoken highly about the Australian youngster, and at some point, he insisted that Gout Gout reminds him of when he was young.
“He has a great future. If he continues on this track, it's going to be good, but it's all about getting everything right. I mean, it's never just easy,” Usain Bolt said.
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Gout Gout on How Usain Bolt’s Words Inspire Him to Be Great
Speaking in an interview with Telecomasia.net after his 200m semifinal race at the World Athletics Championships, Gout Gout revealed that Usain Bolt's comments have fueled his desire to chase his goals.
Gout Gout admitted that hearing a legend speak highly of him just shows him how talented he is and noted that it gives him the confidence to keep going.
"It definitely feels very inspiring to hear that the best to ever do it is seeing my talent, my abilities, and how far I can go," Gout Gout said.
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"His words mean a lot to me, and they inspire me to keep doing what I do, knowing that I have great support. I just need to keep showing up, doing my thing, and I am confident that come the next World Championship, things will be better. I just focus on my training, my game plan, and on getting better."
At just 17, the World Junior Championship silver medalist etched his name in history at the senior World Championships, holding his own against established stars and proving he belongs on the global stage.
Gout Gout now sees his semifinal run against the crème de la crème of the sport as proof that he has what it takes to conquer the 200m. His sights are firmly set on the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, China.