It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for Aussie sprinter Gout Gout. The 17-year-old phenom has lit up the track with his blistering 100m and 200m performances. His 2024 season turned heads when he clocked 20.04 seconds in the 200m, smashing the long-standing Oceanian record and surpassing Usain Bolt’s under-16 world record set back in 2003. While most of his brilliance has come in junior events, his selection for the Australian team at the World Athletics Championships marks a massive step forward. Now, with the world watching, the spotlight intensifies, and curiosity grows about the young star’s roots.

Who are Bona and Monica Gout? Everything you need to know about Gout Gout’s parents?

Born in Brisbane in December 2007, Gout Gout’s story is stitched together with grit and survival. He is third of seven children to South Sudanese immigrants Bona and Monica Gout. His family fled conflict through Egypt before finding a home in Australia. Their journey was far from easy, but it became the foundation of Gout’s relentless spirit and burning drive to chase greatness on the track.

One of the most striking chapters of his story lies in his name. Originally meant to be “Guot” (pronounced “gwot”), a clerical error during the family’s migration turned it into “Gout”, a name also associated with a painful disease. His father, Bona, voiced the family’s pain openly: “His name is Guot, it’s supposed to be Guot … I know that Gout Gout is a disease name but I don’t want my son to be called a disease name … it’s something that’s not acceptable.” Today, they are working to officially restore its rightful spelling and honor their heritage.

Through it all, Bona and Monica have stood tall as their son’s greatest champions. From early soccer games to record-breaking sprints, they have nurtured him with humility and care, guiding his rise with steady hands and reminding him to stay grounded while fame circles closer. Their story is one of resilience and pride, fueling Gout’s climb from humble beginnings to the cusp of global stardom.

The story of sacrifice: How Bona and Monica Gout laid the path for sprinters’ track and field success

Bona and Monica Gout’s story is one of courage, sacrifice, and relentless determination. Fleeing conflict in South Sudan, they finally settled in Brisbane, Australia, seeking a safer and brighter future for their seven children. 

From a young age, the Gout family instilled resilience and discipline in their children. Gout’s athletic journey began with soccer before his parents encouraged him to explore track and field, where his natural speed became undeniable. “From a young age, we saw him running around. He loved playing soccer, loved running, and always admired Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a very sweet boy, talented, a wonderful sibling, and always pushes himself to achieve his goals.’’ they have shared about his journey.

Even his name tells a story of their dedication. Despite a clerical error that changed “Guot” to “Gout,” his parents have been working to officially correct it, determined to honor their heritage. 

Ethnically, Bona and Monica are South Sudanese. They were the part of the community that has faced displacement and hardship yet carried their culture and values wherever they go. Their South Sudanese heritage remains a source of pride and identity for their family.

Are they also former athletes? All you need to know about their profession

Step inside the bustling kitchen of PA Hospital and you’ll find Bona Gout, the quiet force who keeps it all running. A proud member of the Operational Support Services team, that keeps Queensland’s largest hospital moving. 

His post is humble yet mighty, managing the commercial-grade dishwasher that churns through over three and a half million pieces of cutlery every single year. “I check everything, so the machine is working and ready to go. I love my job and I try to work hard to support my family,” said Bona, his words reflecting the grit that has defined his family’s story.

Seventeen years of dedication to Queensland Health have made Bona a quiet inspiration to those around him. “Maybe I will take a holiday,” Bona joked. “I would be so proud to be there,” he said about the dream of watching his son compete at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Meanwhile, Gout’s mother, works tirelessly as a cleaner.

Their sacrifices became the fuel for Gout Gout’s meteoric rise. The Brisbane-born sprinter first exploded onto the national radar at the 2024 Australian All Schools Championships, where he shattered Peter Norman’s long-standing Oceanian 200m record of 20.04 seconds and eclipsed Usain Bolt’s world age-16 best of 20.13. In that moment, Gout didn’t just win a race; he announced his arrival as a once-in-a-generation talent.

Gout’s performances have since drawn constant comparisons to Usain Bolt. But Gout has shown remarkable composure, turning pressure into propulsion. In the 100m heats at the same meet, he blazed to a 10.04-second finish, staking his claim as one of the fastest U18 sprinters ever and igniting speculation that he could rewrite sprinting history.

Now standing on the cusp of the world stage, Gout Gout has already ensured that his name will not be forgotten. Whether he becomes the next fastest man alive remains a mystery, but one thing is certain: his story is still being written, and it promises to be electric.