IPSWICH sprint sensation Gout Gout lit up the track at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth, delivering a commanding performance that confirmed his status as one of the country’s most exciting young athletes.
Competing in the under-20 100m, Gout cruised through his heat with a wind-assisted 10.02, before taking out the final in a blistering 9.99 seconds wind-assisted.
The 17-year-old wasn’t finished there.
On Sunday, he returned for the 200m, winning his heat easing down in 20.21 – the fastest time of the heats.
The final was controversial delayed by two false starts, one resulting in the disqualification of fellow Queenslander Lachlan Kennedy, but Gout stayed composed, and when the race finally got underway, surged to victory with a staggering wind-assisted time of 19.84 seconds.
Meanwhile, middle distance star Jude Thomas continued to demonstrate his consistency and class across multiple events.
Fresh from winning his third consecutive national 3000m title at the Sydney Track Classic, Thomas took to the track for the 1500m heats.
He posted a time of 3:43.49 to comfortably advance to Saturday’s final.
In the fiercely contested final, Thomas worked his way into the front pack and entered the bell lap in fifth position.
He ultimately finished fourth, just shy of the podium, behind Oliver Hoare (3:34.61), Adam Spencer (3:34.57), and winner Cam Myers (3:34.39).
Thomas also contested the 5000m final, where he produced another strong run to place fourth in 13:51.02. His tactical strength and endurance continue to earn him recognition on the national stage.
The championships also highlighted the depth of talent from Ipswich, with 44 athletes – 23 men and 21 women – competing across a range of disciplines.
Ipswich Athletics President Vic Pascoe expressed pride in the club’s representation and praised the contributions of coaches Mick Moore, Mark Sills and Ted Ruben.
Pascoe also acknowledged the essential support from parents and spectators, which continues to fuel the strong community spirit within Ipswich athletics and talented nursery.
