Gout Gout handed Stawell Gift head start over rival as Lachlan Kennedy’s shock win comes at a cost

Australian sprint phenom Gout Gout has been handed a head start against a major rival for the upcoming Stawell Gift.

Teen sprint phenom Gout Gout has been handed a major leg up over his main rival for the upcoming Stawell Gift.

The fields and handicaps for the Stawell Gift, an iconic 120-metre sprint held on the grass of Central Park in the regional Victorian town of Stawell were released on Tuesday.

And many would have been surprised to see the teenager has been given a head start over Lachlan Kennedy, the man who shocked Australia by beating the teenager at Melbourne’s Maurie Plant Meet late last month.

Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

While it was expected that Gout would be given a handicap of scratch, meaning he’d start at the back off the 120m mark, instead chief handicapper Colin Lane opted against him having to pass everyone in the Easter long weekend event.

Due to Kennedy beating Gout by four-hundredths of a second in the 200m final last month, the teenager has been given a 0.75m head start over his rival.

The Queenslander was given a 1m handicap meaning he will run 119m, while Kennedy’s 0.25m handicap means he will have to run 119.75m.

Reigning champion Jack Lacey was given a mark of 6m, while Jacob Despard and Ryan Tarrant, the 2018 and 2023 champions respectively, both received a handicap of 1.75m.

Gout Gout has been handed a head start over rival Lachlan Kennedy. Image: Getty

Lachlan Kennedy (R) of Queensland beats Gout Gout of Queensland to win the Peter Norman Men’s 200m Final as part of the Maurie Pant Meet. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

But while it may seem peculiar that Gout, a man compared to Usain Bolt, is given an advantage over anyone, Trent Taylor, a key organiser in the Stawell Gift, said the Gout head start is “justified” on recent results.

“In most people’s consciousness is Maurie (the 200m race at last month’s Maurie Plant Meet), and Lachie’s come off that 60m silver (at the world indoor championships) in China ... so people shouldn’t be surprised that Lachie’s the backmarker,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.

“There are 27 athletes under 5.00m, so it’s a pretty strong field. I think it’s a pretty fair assessment.”

Gout will compete in the under-20 field in the 100m and the open field in the longer sprint.

And safe to say some of Gout’s rivals are both nervous and excited about facing the sprint sensation.

“Pretty scary, to be honest,” competitor John Evans told tournament organisers about the prospect of facing both Gout and Kennedy.

“They both have been running extremely well, so it’s going to be intense trying to hold them off for as long as I can.”

Chloe Mannix-Power and Jack Lacey won the Stawell Gift in 2024. Photo - Luke Hemer

While South Australian sprinter Jesse Cordoma said: “Absolutely terrified! Gout’s a superstar!”

“It will be incredible to see him race in person, and honestly, an absolute honour to line up alongside him.”

Corey Baker added: “Gout Gout is such an extraordinary talent and a gift to Australian sprinting.”

But before the Stawell Gift, he will tackle the national athletics championships in Perth on Thursday and Friday, where he will try to get revenge on Kennedy.

Gout is the favourite in the U20 men’s 100m on April 10. He is also expected to take out the men’s 200m on April 11.

Originally published as Gout Gout handed Stawell Gift head start over rival as Lachlan Kennedy’s shock win comes at a cost