Gout Gout arrives at the World Championships as a study in promise and poise, a 17-year-old whose rise through the junior ranks now meets the sport’s top tier. He ran 10.57 for the 100m at 14 and broke the Australian under-18 200m record at 15, early markers of rare, sustained speed. By last season he ran 20.29 for 200m after signing with Adidas, and in June he lowered the Australian senior record to a legal 20.02, a clear benchmark for his championship hopes, while his 100m best stands at 10.17 and his 400m best at 46.20.

He made the first step of that promise a reality today, qualifying for the 200m semi-finals after finishing third in his heat and recording 20.23 seconds, a composed run that masked a sluggish start before a strong finish secured automatic progression.

The draw worked in his favour for the semis. He has been placed in the second semi and occupies lane four, which gives him the middle-ground balance between curve and straight that suits his bend running.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday evening in Tokyo, with the men’s 200m semis listed at 9:02pm local time, which is 2:02pm Johannesburg time, and the final follows the next day.