South African athlete Bayanda Walaza in action Bayanda Walaza and Australian sensation Gout Gout have both qualified for the 200m finals.Photo: Andrej Isakovic/AFP
Two of the brightest prospects in the world of athletics, Bayanda Walaza and Gout Gout, have qualified for the men’s200m final to set-up a massive showdown at the Under-20 World Championships in Lima.
Walaza, who claimed the crown in the 100m on Thursday to give South Africa its first gold medal, qualified for the 200m final after dominating his heats and the semis as he clocked 21.00 seconds.
Walaza will head into the finals on Friday looking to be one of an elite few in history to win the double at the global showpiece. Should the 18-year-old manage to achieve the historic feat, he will also take Mzansi's overall medal tally to four.
𝐁![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐲![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐧![CDATA[]]>𝐝![CDATA[]]>𝐚 𝐖![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐥![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐳![CDATA[]]>𝐚 🌟
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 29, 2024
South Africa's starboy is into another final at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru 👏![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦
📺 Stream #WorldAthleticsU20 on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/if55KiFUuy
However, he will be facing stiff competition after Australia's "next Usain Bolt" 16-year-old sensation Gout, also won his heat after clocking an impressive 20.77 which was the fastest time of the semi-finals.
Remember the name! GOUT GOUT!
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) August 30, 2024
20.77!!! And not even trying! 🤯
The 16 year old Aussie sprinter has dominated the field in his 200m heat at the World Athletics U20 championships.
LA 2028 ... look out! 👀
(Video courtesy of @WorldAthletics via X) pic.twitter.com/6RXa6bwaBY
Gout who has been hailed as the next big thing in world athletics did not compete in the 100m, opting to focus on the 200m instead.
“I’m running the 200m and 4x100 relay. My 100 has always been iffy and since 200m is my favourite event, I want to focus on that,“ Gout said to Athletics Australia.
While the final has other top talent, the spotlight has been put on Walaza and Gout. People have already taken to X, formerly Twitter, to share their excitement ahead of the race.
@Nkosi_theReal said Gout and Wazala in the finals will be one for history books, and suggested this could be the start of a long-term rivalry between the athletes.
“Gout gout vs Bayanda Walaza in the 200m final, will be one for the books.This might just be the beginning of a loooong term rivalry”.
Gout gout vs Bayanda Walaza in the 200m final, will be one for the books.
— rockCalledSteve 𝕏 (@Nkosi_theReal) August 30, 2024
This might just be the beginning of a loooong term rivalry. #WorldAthleticsU20
Meanwhile @Kome2Ke said he was backing the Australian to emerge victorious in the race ahead of Walaza.
“U20 Men's 200m Final, watch between 🇦🇺 GOUT the GOAT and 🇿🇦 Bayanda Walaza. I'm betting on Gout to win” 🥇.
U20 Men's 200m Final, watch between 🇦![CDATA[]]>🇺 GOUT the GOAT and 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 Bayanda Walaza.
— Stories (@Kome2Ke) August 29, 2024
I'm betting on Gout to win 🥇. pic.twitter.com/Is4VlYN336
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