The Australian Athletics Championships in Perth had already produced fireworks, but the grand finale was reserved for two of the sport’s brightest stars – a teenage phenom rewriting history and an Olympic finalist turning hometown hero. Gout Gout and Peter Bol headlined an unforgettable final day that crackled with energy, records, and rising hopes ahead of a World Championships season.
Photos by Chiara Montesano courtesy of Australian Athletics
There was no better way to close out the championships than with 17-year-old Gout Gout delivering a jaw-dropping sprint in the men’s 200m, clocking a blistering 19.84 (+2.2) to become the second fastest Under 20 athlete in history over the distance in all conditions. With only USA’s Erriyon Knighton ever going faster at that age, Gout leapt ahead of legends like Usain Bolt, Letsile Tebogo, and Justin Gatlin on the all-conditions list.
After a tense pre-race sequence that saw Lachlan Kennedy disqualified for a false start and the race recalled due to an unsteady start, Gout remained ice-cool. Third time lucky, he exploded off the bend, turning the WA Athletics Stadium into a theatre of speed.
“I took off, got my flick and just sent it down the home straight,” Gout said, summing up his sensational run. “These are the steps I have to take to potentially become a world champion or an Olympic champion.”
Already a crowd favourite from his junior outings, Gout’s performance lit up the stadium – and the national record books. The Ipswich star’s talent, confidence, and consistency were recognised as he received the Betty Cuthbert Medal, awarded to the most outstanding performance of the championships.
But Gout wasn’t the only one making history.
Homegrown hero Peter Bol sent the stadium into raptures, smashing the Australian 800m record with a 1:43.79 masterpiece to secure his fourth national title. With defending champion Luke Boyes pushing the early pace, Bol timed his move perfectly, slicing through the field and eclipsing teammate Joseph Deng’s 2023 record of 1:43.99. Peyton Craig and Boyes were rewarded for their bravery, clocking World Championships qualifiers of 1:44.07 and 1:44.50 for silver and bronze.
“Honestly, I didn’t even think about the national record,” Bol said post-race. “I thought about getting the fourth national title… I knew I just had to get out hard. I didn’t want to get stuck at the back and run out of the race.”
Despite his coach’s instructions to run through the line, Bol couldn’t help but soak it all in, gesturing to the crowd in the final metres: “I was like, not today, we’ve got to celebrate, mate!”
In the Women’s High Jump, dual Olympic medallist Nicola Olyslagers proved once again she’s a cut above, clearing 2.01m to equal her own championship record and capture a sixth consecutive national title. Five-time global medallist Eleanor Patterson claimed silver with 1.97m, while Olyslagers made three strong attempts at 2.05m in pursuit of a new national mark.
“I said me and 2.05m have unfinished business,” Olyslagers said with a grin. “If I really want to get the very best out of myself, I need to be bold.”
The day’s momentum carried across events with a string of World Championships qualifiers:
Sarah Carli continued her 400m Hurdles resurgence with a personal best 54.29 to claim her fourth national title.
Jessica Hull was once again unstoppable, adding 5000m gold to her 1500m crown in a championship record 15:02.74, holding off a spirited Georgia Griffith in 15:02.92 in her debut over the distance, with national record holder Rose Davies taking bronze in 15:03.83.
Kurtis Marschall took out the pole vault with a 5.71m leap.
Seth O’Donnell triumphed in a tactical Men’s 5000m, closing strong for a 13:49.30 victory over 1500m winner Cameron Myers and world indoor 3000m bronze medallist, Ky Robinson.
Jessica Milat set a new personal best of 22.75 seconds ahead of PBs from Kristie Edwards (22.81) and Carla Bull (23.00) to win her first national title in the 200m.
Abbey Caldwell got the jump on Claudia Hollingsworth in a tactical 800m to regain the national title. In last at the bell in 62 seconds Caldwell managed to get out of boxed in trouble better than Hollingsworth and took victory in 2:00.51 to 2:00.90.
Liz Clay won the 100m hurdles in a wind-assisted 12.74 (+2.1)
From history-makers to hopefuls, Perth delivered a championship to remember. 18 track records were set at the WA Athletics Stadium. And with Tokyo calling in September, the Australian team is primed to make headlines on the global stage once again.
