- Australian sprinter Gout Gout broke a 56-year-old record in the 200 meters
- He became the fastest 16-year-old in the world over that distance.
- But his father has revealed that Gout Gout is not the speedster’s real name.
The father of Australia’s most exciting sprinter has revealed that his son is not actually called Gout Gout, claiming there was a mix-up over his identity.
It came as the 16-year-old, originally from Queensland, broke Peter Norman’s 56-year-old record at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in the 200m final on Saturday.
The young Australian star made his way to the finish line to set a record time of 20.04 seconds and break the record that has stood for more than half a century. For perspective, Usain Bolt holds the world record for the 200 meters with a time of 19.19 seconds.
But in statements to Channel 7, the sprinter’s parents explained that his name is not Gout Gout, but Guot.
His father, Bona, clarified that the sprinter’s name is pronounced ‘gwot’.
He claims that a spelling confusion on the part of the Sudanese government was the cause of the error after his family fled the country for Egypt.
The father of Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout has revealed his son’s real name
Bona, the sprinter’s father, claimed that his son’s name was not actually ‘Gout’ and claimed that his name is ‘Guot’ and is pronounced ‘gwot’.
It came after he broke the 56-year-old Australian record to become the world’s fastest 16-year-old over 200 metres.
They initially intended to move to Canada, but the Australian government documents arrived first, so they opted to move to Australia.
“His name is Guot, he’s supposed to be Guot,” Bona said. channel 7.
“When I see people calling him Gota Gota, I’m not very happy for him.”
Bona also referred to gout, an inflammatory arthritis that can cause pain and swelling in the foot.
“I know gout is the name of a disease, but I don’t want my child to be called that… It’s not acceptable,” she said.
“It’s culturally very important and, in particular, if (the family) sees Guot Guot running, they connect with the name, but when they hear Gout Gout, they lose its meaning.”
As his profile rises, the sprinter has found himself being compared by many to the great Jamaican runner Bolt.
His father added that he will soon look to change his son’s name to its correct spelling.
After the race, the sprinter was seen celebrating with his manager James Templeton (left) and coach Di Sheppard (right).
“To me, I don’t care what you want to call it,” Bona said.
‘Let them call him (that), but for my part, I know his name is Guot, that’s what I know. His mother calls him Guot and the same here I call him Guot.’
The Ipswich product has set the athletics world alight with his blistering speed, clocking the fastest 200 meters ever run by a 16-year-old.
His time in the 200 meters makes him the sixth fastest athlete in the world in the 200 meters under the age of 20.
He achieved victory alongside his coach Di Sheppard, who discovered the young talent when he was a seventh-year student.
‘I’ve been chasing that record… I didn’t think it would come this year!’ said the sprint ace after the race.
‘As soon as the gun went off, I was flying.
‘It’s pretty crazy. Right now, I can’t really process it.
His time of 20.04 also beats Usain Bolt’s 20.13 when he ran in an under-18 race in Barbados in 2003.