In a performance that has electrified the track and field world, teenage sprint sensation Issamade Asinga Gout delivered a jaw-dropping run to become one of the youngest athletes ever to break the 20-second barrier in the men’s 200m sprint.
Competing at the Miramar Invitational in Florida, the 18-year-old blasted through the finish line in a stunning 19.96 seconds, not only claiming victory but also etching his name into athletics history as one of the fastest teenage sprinters of all time.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a kid. To go sub-20 at this age… it means everything,” said a beaming Gout after the race.
Gout’s performance wasn’t just fast — it was historic. Only a handful of teenagers in track history, including sprint legends like Usain Bolt and Erriyon Knighton, have managed to dip under the 20-second mark. His run now places him in an elite category of young athletes with the potential to dominate global sprinting in the years to come.
The race saw Gout explode out of the blocks, control the curve with precision, and power down the home stretch, leaving seasoned sprinters in his wake. The crowd erupted as the clock flashed 19.96s, confirming the record-breaking moment.
Name: Issamade Gout
Age: 18
Time: 19.96s
Location: Miramar Invitational, Florida
Wind Assistance: Legal (+1.3 m/s)
Previous Best: 20.23s
Michael Johnson, former world record holder, tweeted: “This young man is the real deal. Smooth, explosive, and fearless. Sub-20 at 18? The future is here.”
World Athletics posted: “Remember the name: Gout! The teenage phenom sprints into the history books with a blistering 19.96.”
With the World U20 Championships and Olympic qualifiers around the corner, all eyes will be on Gout to see how far — and how fast — he can go. Coaches have hinted he may also compete in the 100m and 4x100m relay later this season.
