He has seen the man who 16 months ago beat him over 100 metres attain global stardom, but after committing to rugby, the fast-developing Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer is ready for his turn to “get on the world stage and prove myself”.

In Hong Kong to represent First Nations & Pasifika in the Tradition HKFC 10s, Roberts-Lintmeijer, 18, began training with Australia’s senior sevens squad last year.

After banishing his butterflies over rubbing shoulders with the country’s best sevens players, he has “learned how the game works and how to be professional”.

“I was a bit nervous for the first couple of weeks, but they’re all really nice people and have welcomed me as one of their own, and I’ve loved it,” said Roberts-Lintmeijer, who shared a track with teenage sprint phenomenon Gout Gout in the Australian All Schools Championships in December 2024.

He came home fourth in 10.72 seconds, after clocking a personal best 10.67 in his heat; times that illustrate why Pasifika general manager Matt Sonter said Roberts-Lintmeijer has “gas to burn … he’s like he’s been shot out of a cannon”.

Still, Gout, who this week posted 19.67 for the 200m, which is faster than Usain Bolt managed at 18, showed Roberts-Lintmeijer a clean pair of heels to win in 10.17.