Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout is set to compete in both the 200 metres and the 4x400 metres relay at the upcoming U20 world athletics championships in Oregon, scheduled for August. The 18-year-old will be part of a record-breaking Australian contingent of 75 athletes at the event, which will take place at the historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, often regarded as the spiritual home of United States track and field.
Prioritising the World Juniors
Gout has chosen to prioritise the U20 world championships over the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with the ambition of following in the footsteps of legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. Bolt famously won the 200 metres gold medal at the 2004 world juniors, a triumph that launched his unparalleled career. Gout currently holds the U20 world record in the 200 metres, an event in which he claimed a silver medal at the previous edition of the world juniors in Peru in 2024.
Excitement and Confidence
Expressing his enthusiasm, Gout said: “I’m really excited to get out there at World Athletics Under 20s. I know it’s a great stadium and place to run fast, and I feel confident I’ll be ready to step up and make Australia proud. I’ll be competing in the 200m, but I’m also excited to join in the 4x400m on the last day.”
Other Key Athletes
The Australian squad also features high jumper Izobelle Louison-Roe, who will aim to improve on her silver medal from the 2024 U20 championships in Lima. She is entered in both the high jump and the triple jump, with a decision on which event she will contest expected later in the year. Race walker Isaac Beacroft will compete at the U20 world titles after participating in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Beacroft stated: “I’ve got pretty high expectations of myself in both races, and I don’t want to leave that short amount of time in between each event as an excuse for my performances.”
Record Medal Haul in Lima
Australia achieved a record 15 medals at the previous U20 world championships in Lima two years ago, setting a high benchmark for the team heading to Oregon.
Full Australian Squad for U20 World Championships
Men:
- 100m: Uwezo Lubenda, Zavier Peacock
- 200m: Gout Gout, Zavier Peacock
- 400m: Chase Grant, Seth Kennedy
- 800m: Harry Halleen, Daniel Williams
- 1500m: Alexander Cameron-Smith, Kieran Shepherd
- 3000m: Charles Barrett, Matthew McLachlan
- 5000m: Charles Barrett, Lucas Chis
- 3000m steeplechase: Jonathan Neethling
- 110m hurdles: Oliver Facer, Harrison Purcell
- 400m hurdles: Will Tait, Ethan Williams
- 5000m walk: Isaac Beacroft, Owen Toyne
- Long jump: Mason McGroder, Luke Vrataric
- Triple jump: Lian Anagnostopoulos, Daniel Okerenyang
- Discus: Elijah Wilson
- Decathlon: Xavier Davie, Wyatt Hill
- Hammer throw: Connor Hopgood, Xavier Leauma
- 4x100m relay: Paul Ehioghae, Kelechi Ekwomadu, Dylan Hall, Josiah John, Hugh Kabengele, Uwezo Lubenda, Zavier Peacock
- 4x400m relay: Gout Gout, Chase Grant, Fred Hamblin, Seth Kennedy, Dashiell Muir, Terrell Thorne
Women:
- 100m: Zara Hagan, Maya Taber
- 200m: Zara Hagan, Amaya Mearns
- 400m: Alice Hill, Shari Hurdman
- 800m: Ivy Boothroyd, Emma Fryga
- 1500m: Mia Gray, Milla Roberts
- 3000m: Imogen Baker, Eliza Lawton
- 5000m: Imogen Baker, Libby Mantay
- 3000m steeplechase: Helena Butler, Tessa Ebert
- 100m hurdles: Jamison Harding, Tammin Lampret
- 400m hurdles: Shakira Harding, Maiya Hewitt
- 5000m walk: Sophie Polkinghorne, Zoe Woods
- Pole vault: Jamison Harding, Rangi Khushnoor
- High jump: Izobelle Louison-Roe
- Triple jump: Izobelle Louison-Roe
- Long jump: Geena Davy
- Shot put: Manaia Coulter, Lauren Kelly
- Discus: Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell, Chelsy Wayne
- Heptathlon: Bailey Van Den Broek, Isabella Wing
- 4x100m relay: Grace Crowe, Mackenzie Estlick, Zara Hagan, Amaya Mearns, Leah O’Brien, Thewbelle Philp, Emilia Reed, Maya Taber
- 4x400m relay: Samara Bond, Alice Hill, Shari Hurdman, Naomi Krajancic, Xanthee Watts, Charlotte McAuliffe
