'He Is At That Point' - Gout Gout’s Coach Issues Stark Warning To ‘New Usain Bolt’ Amid Breakthrough

Gout Gout. Photo. Imago

'He Is At That Point' - Gout Gout’s Coach Issues Stark Warning To ‘New Usain Bolt’ Amid Breakthrough

Evans Ousuru 07:45 - 05.05.2025

Gout Gout has been warned by his coach to thread carefully even as his career is set to take off.

Gout Gout has been reminded of the sacrifices he must make if he is going to continue his meteoric rise.

The teenage sprinting sensation has continued to smash records since bursting onto the scene last year.

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Gout already holds the Australian and Oceanic records in the 200m at just 17-years-old. He is also the under-18 Oceanic record holder in the 100m with a personal best of 10.17secs.

His coach Di Sheppard has warned him that his success and dedication will leave him without a social life. "I’ve been telling him for a couple of years that when we get to a set point, your social life will be pretty much non-existent, in the sense you just can’t go out where you want. He’s at that point pretty much now, which is kind of tough when you think he’s still at school," Di Sheppard told talkSPORT.

Gout Gout's main focus in 2025

Gout Gout’s Coach Issues Stark Warning To ‘New Usain Bolt’ Amid Breakthrough
Gout Gout. Photo. Imago

His sentiments come as the pair target this year's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The Japanese capital will host the event at the National Stadium from September 13 to 21.

Gout will still be two months away from turning 18 during the event, which would be his first World Championships. He previously claimed silver in the 200m at the Under-20 World Championships in 2024.

The medal came whilst Gout was still only 16 as he produced a then personal best time of 20.60secs. Sheppard added: "Things will plateau, that’s a natural part. It has to come to a ‘Bang, OK, now we’ve got to find our next adaption phase to go up’."

"For us to go to the top – we’re still a long way from there – and because we know that’s our end goal, we don’t get too wrapped up into the good things that come. They’re stepping stones, and that’s how I’ve tried to teach Gout. There’s no clear path up."

Comparison with Usain Bolt

Gout Gout’s Coach Issues Stark Warning To ‘New Usain Bolt’ Amid Breakthrough
Gout Gout on the Usain Bolt comparisons

Gout's explosive start to his career has already seen him compared to Usain Bolt. The Jamaican won eight Olympic gold medals during his illustrious career. He also holds the world record across each of the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.

Gout's time in the 200m final at the Under-20 World Championships was quicker than Bolt achieved on his way to gold in the event aged 15. The Australian recently came within milliseconds of Bolt's best time at the same age.