Kennedy edges Gout in Melbourne 200m thriller

At the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne, 21-year-old Lachie Kennedy narrowly defeated 17-year-old Gout Gout in the men's 200m, clocking a personal best of 20.26 seconds. The competition, attended by 10,000 fans, marked a significant resurgence for athletics in Australia, as it was the first sellout for a one-day meet in over two decades. Gout, the national record holder, finished just four hundredths of a second behind and expressed his determination to use the loss as motivation for future races. Kennedy, who also won the 100m earlier in the event, acknowledged the pressure from Gout's strong finish. Both athletes are set to face off again at the upcoming Australian championships in Perth. The event showcased not only their rivalry but also the excitement surrounding Australian athletics as they prepare for future international competitions.