The next generation of Australian athletics stars will step into the spotlight on Day Five of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. All eyes will be on teen sprint prodigy Gout Gout, who makes his highly anticipated debut in the Men’s 200m, while Torrie Lewis returns for her second event of the championships in the Women’s 200m alongside a strong cast of Australia’s sprinting stars.
The frenzy around Gout Gout (QLD, Diane Sheppard) is set to reach new heights in Australia and globally as the 17-year-old from Ipswich steps into his first senior team appearance. The Australian record holder has already been likened to Usain Bolt after clocking 20.02 this season, the sixth fastest time by an Under-20 athlete in history.
While the hype around the world is undeniable, Gout is keeping his focus simple:
“I have a few butterflies but I’ve done the work to be here. It’s about going out there and having a little bit of fun. I want to focus on being the best I can and enjoy my first experience at this level.
“I’m definitely aiming for more though for sure. There’s that sub-20 I’m aiming for, so obviously when I get that, I’ll break the record as well but really I’m aiming to run faster than I ever have, and just go out there and have fun with it.”
It’s a balancing act between the world stage and the classroom, with Gout set to return to his Year 12 studies and HSC exams next month.
“After Worlds, I’m heading back to school. I have two weeks’ holiday which is great and after that I’m back into studies. But I have exams coming up and those are really important. This year’s gone by pretty quick and just going back to school after this is pretty crazy.”
Gout will line up in Heat 4 (lane 8) facing a stacked field with three athletes boasting faster personal bests – Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba (19.92), Blessing Akwasi Afrifah (19.96) and Jamaican National Champion Bryan Levell, who set a new personal best of 19.69 last month. The first three in each heat and the next six fastest athletes progress to the semi-finals.
Calab Law (QLD, Andrew Iselin) and Aidan Murphy (SA, Nik Hagicostas) will also represent Australia in the 200m heats for their first races at Tokyo 2025. Both Australians have season bests under 20.55. Law will be first up in Heat 1 (lane 2) with a tough heat that features 400m world record holder Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA). Murphy in Heat 2 (lane 8) has drawn American Courtney Lindsey (19.71).
Australia’s fastest woman Torrie Lewis is back in her pet event after bolting to a new Australian record in the 100m heats earlier this week. Discontent with missing out on a finals berth, the 21-year-old will be ready to bring her best against world-class rivals including 2019 World Champion Dina Asher-Smith (GBR). Lewis’ personal best of 22.65 puts her in contention, but she’ll need to pull out all stops to move through the rounds.
Also contesting the Women’s 200m will be Kristie Edwards (NSW, Andrew Murphy) who has had a breakout season, rewarded with her individual event debut at the World Athletics Championships. Commonwealth relay medallist Mia Gross (VIC, John Nicolosi) will run from lane 8 (Heat 2), and she has Tokyo 2025 100m champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) in lane 7. Like the men, the first three in each heat, along with the next six fastest, progress to the semis.
The evening will also see 400m Hurdler Sarah Carli (NSW, Abbie Taddeo) back in action racing in Semi-Final 2 (lane 3). The Wollongong star, who hit hurdle six in her heat, admits her stride pattern still needs refining but she is confident she can improve on her heat time of 55.24. She will face her toughest test yet against gold medal favourite Femke Bol (NED) and American Dalilah Muhammad, who won Olympic gold in the Tokyo Stadium in 2021.
Triple jumper Connor Murphy (NSW, Andrew Murphy) will contest the triple jump qualifying round, with an eye to advance to the final after placing 12th overall at the Olympic Games last year.
Coached by his father Andrew, who is Australia’s most successful triple jumper at the World Athletics Championships, Connor holds a best of 16.82m seeding him 30th in the 37-man field. But in Paris last year he proved his ability to perform when it matters most.
Joining Murphy on the field will be Australia’s sole competitor in the Men’s Javelin Throw Cameron McEntyre (NSW, Angus McEntyre). The 26-year-old is back for his third World Athletics Championships appearance, ranked 23rd in the field. He will be launching his bid for his first major championships final, arriving in Tokyo in career-best form after an 82.35m throw in July this year.
Catch all the action live and free on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand, as well as the Nine Network from 8.05pm AEST.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 17/9/2025
