Track and field is a sport where unpredictability is the only constant. One moment, a teenager is breaking records, and the next, a seasoned vet is getting disqualified. But if there’s one thing legends of the sport know, it’s talent when they see it. And lately, even Justin Gatlin—Olympic champ and former fastest man in the world—has been tipping his hat to an Aussie up-and-comer named Lachlan Kennedy, despite the spotlight currently burning bright on another teen phenom: Gout Gout.

Ever since Gout broke Usain Bolt’s record, he has been in the headlines. At just 17, he ran a scorching 19.84 in the 200m at the Australian Athletics Championships. Sure, the wind reading was over the legal limit, so it won’t count as a personal best—but the message was loud and clear: this kid’s not playing around. He’s also clocked a couple of wind-assisted sub-10s in the 100m. But if you thought Kennedy was just another name on the start list, think again.

This dude’s been giving Gout a run for his money—literally. At the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne, Kennedy edged out Gout in a thrilling 20.26 to 20.30 showdown. But later had the bad fate when he false-started and got disqualified from the final at nationals. But there, Gout still won, but Kennedy still showed his character by walking down to congratulate Gout with a big hug. And seeing this loss, Justin Gatlin, on his podcast Ready Set Go, couldn’t hide his admiration for Lachlan.

“I am proud of Kennedy Lachlan,” said Justin Gatlin, tipping his hat to the Aussie sprinter, who’s quickly making waves. Kennedy had never raced professionally overseas before, but that didn’t stop him from delivering in a big way. “He stepped outdoors, ran 10.03, and went head-to-head with Gout. Gout got a victory there,” Gatlin said.

Gatling further continued, “But Kennedy is mounting himself up to prove that he is an elite sprinter for his country and the world. He stepped into a whole new country—one he’d never been to before, and he’d never been on a professional circuit like this.” Still, he ran 10.10 in his debut and followed it up with a gritty 10.1. “For him to go out there and drop a 10.1 in his inaugural real-time league performance, I’m happy for him, man,” Gatlin added.

“Because now, that’s confidence. He’s in the pack, only 0.01 seconds off from getting third place, so he knows he’s right there at the table.” And if anyone needed more proof, Kennedy just delivered it at home. He clocked 10.01 at the Australian Athletics Championships, finishing in a dead heat with Olympian Rohan Browning, who matched his Tokyo PB.

Browning might’ve grabbed the win, but Kennedy sent a message: he belongs. The headlines may not be his just yet, but according to Gatlin, he’s already earned his spot. “Just keep that hunger moving forward.” Yes! Justin sees his talent, but he can’t ignore the Gout.

Gout Gout is breaking records, but is he facing enough competition?

“Gout of this world!” That was World Athletics’ reaction when Australian sprinter Gout broke Usain Bolt’s 200m record for 16-year-olds last December. Then, just a few months later, he obliterated Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles’ personal best in the 400m with a time of 46.20 seconds, nearly a second faster than Lyles. Naturally, comparisons to legends like Bolt and Lyles are pouring in, but Gout isn’t focused on living up to anyone else’s legacy.

Instead, he’s carving out his path, stating that he aims to be “the next Gout.” But as Gout continues to break records in his home country, questions are rising about the level of competition he’s facing. At the Queensland Athletics Championships, he clocked a wind-assisted 19.98 seconds in the 200m, becoming the first Australian to break the sub-20 barrier.

Yet, the competition was nowhere near challenging him. As Justin Gatlin pointed out on the Ready Set Go podcast, “He was so far ahead that when the camera panned, he was already in the lead. The competition wasn’t even in the shot.” Gatlin’s concern is clear: while Gout’s dominance is impressive, it may hinder his growth if there’s no one to truly challenge him.

Gatlin, who’s no stranger to the competitive grind, raised an important point: “What do you do when you’re crushing everyone in your country? Do you put him on the international circuit to race against the best? Or do you keep him in the local scene until he’s forced to compete on the world stage?” Without stronger competition, Gout risks plateauing before truly being tested. To keep progressing, he needs to step up his competition and face the world’s top sprinters. Only then will we know if he’s truly the next big thing.