Gout Gout is primed for his bid to officially break the 20-second barrier for the 200m after he cruised through his heat in ideal conditions at the WA Athletics Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In front of a full grandstand in temperatures above 30C, the teenager led the first heat comfortably before easing off with 50m to go. Despite his apathy, he still set a rapid time of 20.21s.
Rival Lachie Kennedy looked short of his best after backing up from the 100m on Saturday night, finishing second in his heat behind Aidan Murphy. Kennedy was still third fastest into the final with a time of 20.85s.
All three heats had legal wind readings, setting the scene for the final later on Sunday when Gout will seek his first legal sub-20s time. He ran 19.98s in Brisbane in March, but with an illegal tailwind of 3.6m/s.
The conditions are ideal on Sunday with higher-than-expected temperatures and consistent, moderate tailwinds that aren’t as gusty as previous days.
Gout ran 9.99s for the 100m twice on Thursday, but both runs were achieved with excessive tailwinds.
Calab Law, last year’s 200m national champion, withdrew before the heats after pulling up tight following the 100m final on Saturday, won by Rohan Browning.
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Kristie Edwards is the fastest qualifier in the women’s event thanks to her personal best of 21.10s. Carla Bull, Mia Gross and Jess Milat will be her main rivals in the final.
Officials forced fans to queue for seats, after the 2,000-seat grandstand was filled approximately half an hour before the 200m heats. Hundreds more spectators were dotted around the arena’s grassy hill. A crowd of around 4,000 is expected.