17-year-old sprinter challenges Olympic champion… and beats him
The Joanna Stone Shield competition is currently taking place in Brisbane, Australia, where rising athletics star Gout Gout set his sights on the record of a reigning Olympic champion.
Details: The 17-year-old Australian sprinter clocked 46.20 seconds in the 400-meter race, a time faster than the personal best of Olympic champion Noah Lyles. However, Lyles’ only recorded mark over this distance—47.04 seconds, set in 2016—was not his primary event.
In January, Gout showcased his confidence by publicly challenging Lyles in a lighthearted exchange.
Quote: "I'm trying to show that I'm at the top, I'm trying to get on the track. Whatever I have to do to show Noah that I'm coming for that spot, I'll do it!" Gout declared after meeting and training with Lyles and his coach Lance Brauman in Clermont, Florida, earlier this year.
Reminder: At the Tokyo Olympics, Lyles won bronze in the 200 meters. At the Paris Games, he repeated that result in the 200m while also securing gold in the 100 meters.
Lars Foster
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
