Australian teenager says the shackles will come off after making his way into 200m semis in Tokyo.

Solid rather than spectacular. Getting the job done rather than setting the world alight. Gout Gout might not have played the leading role in the opening qualifying heats of the men’s 200m at the World Championships on Wednesday night (September 17) but neither did he fluff his lines in stepping on to the senior global stage for the first time in Tokyo. 

Safe passage into the semi-finals was the top priority for this 17-year-old who so many believe has the world at his speedy feet, and he duly delivered with a run of 20.23 (-0.1) to qualify automatically in third from heat five. 

Gout didn’t have his best start – a fact he freely acknowledged – but finished strongly, not looking fazed by the 19.84 run ahead of him by Jamaica’s Bryan Levell, who qualified fastest overall.

The young Australian’s next test will now come on Thursday evening with a race he considers to be “a free hit”. Breaking the 20-second barrier for the first time, and his own national record of 20.02, is the main aim from this Tokyo trip. 

"This is a memorable experience and I cannot wait for the semi-final,” he said. “After competing at the junior level, the feeling is so different it's insane. The field is insane. I have got to step up out there and prove myself. 

“That’s the goal – sub 20 – so let’s see in the semi. This is just a free hit. I can run like a horse, run like the wind.”

Reflecting on his performance, Gout added: “The start’s not my strong suit but, once I get into my running, I’m chilling so it’s cool. It’s definitely a ‘pinch yourself moment’ and I’m just happy to be here.”

Gout has been receiving plenty of advice from the reigning world champion and his adidas stablemate Noah Lyles. The American was one of five athletes to run under 20 seconds as he finished fifth-fastest with 19.99 to edge his heat from Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (20.07). Lyles’ US team-mate and Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek clocked (19.98), while Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo was 10th-fastest with 20.18. Britain’s Toby Harries, seventh in heat one with 20.76, did not go through. 

Americans were quickest overall in the women’s 200m heats, with Anavia Battle (22.07) leading the way from 100m world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (22.24). Jamaican defending champion Shericka Jackson was third-fastest overall with 22.33, followed by Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (22.39) and Britain’s former world champion, Dina Asher-Smith (22.40). Her team-mates, Amy Hunt (22.57) and Daryll Neita (22.59), also progressed.