Gout Gout in sad development as athletics world erupts over wild finish-line drama
Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy's highly-anticipated 200m showdown has been thrown into doubt after Kennedy revealed he may not be able to compete on Sunday due to soreness. Kennedy was pipped by Rohan Browning in the 100m final at the Australian athletics championships on Saturday night, while Torrie Lewis won the women's event in an incredible three-way photo finish.
Kennedy was expected to win the open 100m final, before turning his sights to the 200m for a blockbuster clash with Gout Gout. The 200m is the only event in which Kennedy and Gout go head-to-head because Gout competed in the Under-20 100m competition.
Kennedy upstaged Gout in the 200m at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne last month, and Gout would be keen for revenge in Perth. But Kennedy threw his participation into doubt on Saturday night when he pulled up sore after the 100m final.
"I'm definitely sore, definitely a little tight, but we'll see how we pull up tomorrow," the 21-year-old said. "At this stage, I still want to do the (200m), but it's all about how the body feels after a night's sleep.
"It will sort of be like a vibe thing, like how the body feels, how the legs feel. If they're feeling tight just walking around, I'll probably call it. I've got nothing to prove. It'll just be like, how I feel sort of thing."
Browning had earlier warned Kennedy and Gout not to forget about him, and on Saturday night he showed he's back to the brilliant best that made him a household name at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. In a thrilling photo finish, Browning posted an equal-PB of 10.01 (.001) to pip Kennedy's 10.01 (.006) in a race for the ages.
Kennedy had posted a 10.00-flat in the heat, and was left disappointed not to become just the second Aussie to break the magical barrier with a legal time. He eased up slightly to preserve energy for the final, and in hindsight it cost him.
"I'm sad I didn't crack 10," Kennedy said. "But there'll be plenty of opportunities to crack 10 down the line, so I'm not too stressed about it."
Browning regained his mantle as Australia's 100m sprint champion, four years after he shot to international prominence in Tokyo. He famously beat Yohan Blake in the heats at the 2021 Olympics, but had fallen out of the national conversation recently due to injuries.
Many critics thought we'd seen the last of Browning, but the 27-year-old showed he still has plenty left in the tank. "It felt like Tokyo all over again. It felt really smooth," Browning said after Saturday's thrilling win.
"I knew not to get sucked into running Lachie's race, because he's going to get out well. I just had to focus on myself. There might have only been a handful of people in the stadium tonight that believed that was possible. And you know, you only need to believe in yourself."
Wow. WOW.What an extraordinary race in the women's 100 final!It's Torrie Lewis who takes it by four one-thousandths of a second after a TRIPLE photo finish 🤯 pic.twitter.com/y5OpN16cuC
— 7Sport (@7Sport) April 12, 2025
There was even more drama in the women's 100m final as national record holder Lewis beat 17-year-old rising star Leah O'Brien and Bree Rizzo in a three-way photo-finish. It took several minutes for the winner to be determined because of his close the finish was, and Rizzo even crashed to the track after the line to add to the drama.
In the end, Lewis recorded a time of 11.24 (.236), ahead of O'Brien's 11.24 (.240) and Rizzo (11.25). "I'm so happy," Lewis said after defending her national crown. "I just said to them, 'That was such a crazy race guys. I'm happy for both of you'. Whoever gets it, gets it."
Athletics fans were blown away by the wild 100m finals, taking to social media in awe. It came as Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull won the 1500m women's national title for the third year running, while 18-year-old rising star Cameron Myers (3:34.39) held on at the death in the men's 1500 to beat Adam Spencer (3:34.57) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Oliver Hoare (3:34.61).
That's an astoundingly good race. Kudos to Torrie but holy hell Leah O'Brien has had an amazing week!!!
— Ben (@orca_chaser) April 12, 2025
Unbelievable race!!
— Corey James (@CoreyJames33) April 12, 2025
How good is Australian athletics at the moment
— Paige is Back (@MsPaige82) April 12, 2025
Kennedy, Browning, Gout Gout....Relay looking good!
— Ancient Tiger (@TigerAncient) April 12, 2025
Never in my lifetime has Athletics been in such a strong position in track and field. Love it!!
— Nicho (@AJNicho15) April 12, 2025
with AAP
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