Australia’s fastest man Rohan Browning made his first appearance at this year’s national track and field championships, but as he began competing, the next generation of sprint talent took center stage.
Browning qualified for Saturday’s semifinals in third place, winning her heat but largely posting a time of 10.43.
It was a strong start for a man who harbors aspirations of breaking the 10-second barrier and who is spending the year preparing for an assault on Paris.
“I’ve been suffering from a bit of a knee problem and haven’t been able to do any acceleration for the last three weeks,” Browning said.
“I feel like I’m probably a week away from being fully fit. But the championship is this week, so I have to show up.”
“I think my final result is really good, but I have to be able to prepare for the race.”
Just weeks after breaking the women’s 100-meter national record, Torrie Lewis opted not to run the event at the national championships and decided to focus on the 200 meters while staying sharp for an upcoming relay camp.
But if there was a void left in Adelaide by Browning’s strong start and Lewis’s deference, rising star Gout Gout was only too happy to fill it.
During the first two days of the national championship, no one has caused a bigger stir than gout.
Undeterred by the weight of expectations and his youth, even in an underage field – “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any 16-year-old who’s been an under-20 champion,” he says – Gout overcame a slow start to attack home. to victory in the 100 meters on Thursday.
On Friday, Gout tore through her 200-meter heat, barely escaping second gear as she qualified for Saturday’s final with ease.
At just 16 years old, Gout already competes with the charisma and confidence of the best in the sport.
“I feel like this is where I need to be,” Gout said.
“Running is my favorite thing to do. Just being out there, taking on everyone, taking on faster people… pushing the blocks and everything on the track.”
Earlier this year, Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming compared Gout to Usain Bolt, the highest compliment you can pay a young sprinter. Rather than being intimidated by such a significant comparison, Gout accepts it.
“It’s great because Usain Bolt is possibly the greatest athlete of all time and just being compared to him is a great feeling.
“Obviously I’m Gout Gout, so I’m trying to make a name for myself.
“If I can reach the level he had, it would be a great achievement.”
Gout’s Olympic dreams currently point to Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032, but like the rest of the country, his focus will be on Paris later this year, where he hopes to see Browning thrive.
“Rohan Browning really wants to make it to the under-10s, so I hope he can do it. The Olympics are a really great thing, so I will definitely be watching them on TV.”