){kind=small}
LaLiga){kind=small}
BAR
){kind=small}
OSA
){kind=small}
Premier){kind=small}
FCT
){kind=small}
SOF
){kind=small}
MAU
){kind=small}
MSU
){kind=small}
Bundesl){kind=logo}
B04
){kind=logo}
BOC
){kind=small}
Ligue 1){kind=logo}
STR
){kind=small}
LYON
){kind=small}
NAC
){kind=small}
KAS
){kind=small}
BAN
){kind=small}
ULS
){kind=small}
BID
){kind=small}
TUF
){kind=small}
SHA
){kind=small}
MUR
){kind=small}
RSO
){kind=small}
VLL
){kind=small}
AFC
){kind=small}
KAK
){kind=small}
Serie A){kind=small}
COMO
){kind=small}
EMP
){kind=small}
VEN
){kind=logo}
BOL
){kind=small}
FCB
){kind=logo}
FCP
){kind=logo}
HSK
){kind=logo}
SVW
){kind=logo}
BMG
){kind=small}
RBL
){kind=logo}
WOB
){kind=logo}
HDH
){kind=logo}
TSG
){kind=logo}
FCA
){kind=logo}
ESP
){kind=small}
ATM
){kind=small}
SDR
){kind=small}
OM
)
Based on their head-to-head battles, records broken, medals won, and exceptional careers in the past year, here's all you need to know about Bayanda Walaza and Gout Gout - the world's most exciting sprint talents.
Teen sensations Bayanda Walaza and Gout Gout are unarguably the world's most exciting sprint talents presently, as their exceptional start to the 2025 season has engraved their status as the future of track and field.
In the past month, the rising stars blazed to individual National Records (NR) and world-leading times, and they're just getting started as the season is still in its early stages with more to offer ahead of the Tokyo World Championships in September.
)
Walaza and Gout's form so far has sparked several online debates among track fans, divided on who the better sprinter is and swiftly on track as a worthy heir to Usain Bolt's throne.
)
00:44 - 29.12.2024
Top 5 rising sprint stars to watchout for in 2025: Quincy Wilson, Torrie Lewis, and Gout Gout make remarkable young list
Despite the exceptional range of elite top sprinters at disposal presently, some youngsters rose to the occasion this year with great expectations they can set more records and do much more in the upcoming season.
Therefore, based on their head-to-head battles, records broken, medals won, and exceptional careers in the past year, here's all you need to know about Bayanda Walaza and Gout Gout - the world's most exciting sprint talents.
Bayanda Walaza Profile
Age - 19
Nationality - South Africa
100m Personal Best (PB) - 9.99s
200m Personal Best (PB) - 20.08s
)
Gout Gout Profile
Age - 17
Nationality - Australia
100m Personal Best (PB) - 10.17s
200m Personal Best (PB) - 20.04s
)
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teen stars have met just once, in the 200m final at the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima. Walaza was victorious in 20.52s (-0.7m/s) ahead of Gout in 20.60s.
His iconic performance came after he claimed the 100m title with a time of 10.19s, earning him the distinction of being the world's fastest teenager. This achievement also made him the first South African sprinter to reach such a milestone in the championship's history.
Finally, by winning both titles, Walaza became only the fourth sprinter in history to complete the sprint double at the World U20 Championships behind the legendary Ato Boldon (1992), ex-Nigerian sprinter Francis Obikwelu (1996), and Christian Malcolm (1998).
)
RECORDS
On December 6 at the 2024 Australian All Schools Athletics Championship, Gout clocked a blistering PB of 10.17s to win the 100m final. His time smashed the Australian U18 record held by reigning men’s senior champion Sebastian Sultana.
The next day, in the 200m final, the 16-year-old ran a jaw-dropping 20.04s. This time ranks as the second-fastest U18 performance ever (behind only Erriyon Knighton) and made him the second U18 athlete to surpass Usain Bolt's record in this category. His mark also broke the Australian and Oceanian record, previously held by Peter Norman since 1968.
Not resting on his oars, Gout surpassed the 20-second barrier, becoming the first Australian in history to achieve the feat. The teen star stopped the clock at a wind-assisted 19.98s (+3.6) to win the U20 final at the 2025 Queensland State Championships, only hours after turning heads with a world-leading time of 20.05s (+1.2) in the heats.
)
17:06 - 16.03.2025
'I felt literally free' - Gout Gout reveals after blazing to Australian 200m history with sub-20s mark
Australian 17-year-old Gout Gout continued to demonstrate why he is the most exciting talent in sprinting right now, after running the fastest 200-meter time in the world this year.
Meanwhile, Walaza's record-breaking performances have also been his highlights this year. He stormed to a new South African U20 Record and world-leading 100m time of 9.99s at the AGN Championships in Pretoria. A week later, the 19-year-old showcased his thrilling sprinting abilities again at the ASA Grand Prix 2 in Johannesburg, clocking a new National U20 record of 20.08s to win the men's 200m event.
By doing this, Walaza broke Clarence Munyai's previous junior record of 20.10s set in 2017.
)
23:32 - 19.03.2025
He's Special: Bayanda Walaza clocks blistering 20.08s to break South African U20 Record in the 200m
Backing up his exceptional 100m world-leading performance, Bayanda Walaza clocked another outstanding 200m time of 20.08s to break South Africa's U20 record.
MEDALS
Walaza
- World U20 100m and 200m gold medallist
- His exceptional outing in Lima was a follow-up to his brilliant display at the Paris Olympic Games, where he ran the first leg in South Africa's 4x100m silver medal-winning team that clocked a new African Record of 37.57s.
Gout
- World U20 200m silver medallist
)
12:36 - 04.09.2024
Bayanda Walaza chooses loyalty over opportunities as he declines US college offers to stay in South Africa
Bayanda Walaza may have paved the way for young African athletes to emulate on loyalty after declining US college offers to stay in South Africa.
Minor Differences
From the stats, it's obvious Walaza has the edge and only trails Gout with his 200m PB by just 0.04s.
However, that's not taking away the Australian youngster's talent who's two years younger and by rights running times Bolt never did at the same age.
)
Gout and Walaza have proven they are more than just rising talents, but serious contenders on the world stage. However, while track enthusiasts are currently excited about their current unbelievable form, they should be aware of not putting too much pressure on their young careers.
But one thing is sure, fans are going to be thrilled to many years of enjoyable rivalry between the speedsters, which they may end up having one of the greatest in history.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)