Kennedy the man as Gout eyes nationals re-match
Shayne Hope |
Teen sensation Gout Gout insists his rivalry with Lachlan Kennedy will remain friendly after the national record holder was upstaged again in their latest 200m showdown in Melbourne.
Kennedy made the most of a hot start and Gout’s early stumble in wet conditions at the Maurie Plant Meet on Saturday night, holding off his fast-finishing rival for the second-straight year.
The 22-year-old won the main event in 20.38 seconds, with Gout (20.43) second across the line.
The Queensland pair are set to face off again at the national championships in Sydney in a fortnight.
“Today, he had the ‘W’ but next time I’ll be better, for sure,” Gout said.
“He’s a Queensland guy and a good friend of mine, so congratulations to him.
“But I’ll be back, for sure.”
Gout looked just about gone at the top of the straight but produced a strong finish to push Kennedy all the way.
The 18-year-old made no excuses around his slight slip, which came after rain hit just minutes before the start of the 200m showpiece.
“Weather was always going to be a factor, but you have to go out there and run your race,” Gout said.
“Everyone had to do that. I came out here to run my race.”
Australia’s fastest man Kennedy had earlier won the 100m in a blistering 10.03 sec – breaking Asafa Powell’s meet record.
He then backed up to complete the Maurie Plant sprint double for the second consecutive year.
“It was just grit – another hard, gritty run – and I was able to get it done,” Kennedy said.
“The thing is you know Gout is going to come.
“It’s about not panicking, he will make up ground, but it’s knowing in your head that he is going to come and not freak out and stay relaxed.”
Gout isn’t competing at the Commonwealth Games, starting in July, after he chose to prioritise the Under-20 world championship.
But Kennedy has set his sights on Glasgow gold.
“Sky is the limit now,” he said.
“You come out here for the first 100 of the year, second 200 of the year, second competition, and I am already hitting those times.
“I am chasing Commonwealth Games gold. I think that’s possible for sure.”
AAP