Oblique Seville has made history by winning the men’s 100m championship at the Tokyo 25 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time a Jamaican has claimed the title in this event since the legendary Usain Bolt in 2015. Seville’s triumph came on September 14, with Bolt himself watching from the crowd, adding a layer of inspiration to the electric atmosphere.
After crossing the finish line, Seville expressed his exhilaration, stating, “I feel really amazing and excited that the gold is coming home to Jamaica.” He highlighted his journey, emphasizing that the race allowed him to demonstrate his competitive spirit and champion’s determination. Reflecting on the challenges he faced throughout the season, particularly in the semi-finals, he admitted to feelings of panic but credited his newfound confidence in finishing strong. “I knew if I had a strong finish, the others would not catch me,” he added.
In the lead-up to the final, much of the media attention had centered on the anticipated rivalry between Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson, the reigning gold and silver medalists from the previous Paris 2024 Championships. However, on this hot and humid night in Tokyo, Seville outperformed expectations, clocking in at a personal best of 9.77 seconds to seize the title of “world’s fastest man.” Thompson secured the silver medal with a time of 9.82 seconds, while Lyles finished with bronze at 9.89 seconds.
Lyles acknowledged the difficulties he faced this season due to injuries, stating, “I came to the world championships with only four races over 100 metres under my belt.” Nonetheless, he managed to run his season’s best in the final, expressing satisfaction with his performance despite the challenges he encountered.
Thompson, who also celebrated as one of the top finishers, noted the significance of his journey this season, which has been marked by more races than he had previously run. He reflected on his growth as an athlete, saying, “It is a phenomenal feeling to compete here, and the crowd support is lovely so it is a really good vibe.” Thompson has been able to analyze his performance closely, which he believes will help him improve in future competitions, despite still waiting for that elusive gold medal.
Seville’s remarkable victory not only brings glory to him but also adds to Jamaica’s legacy in sprinting, potentially heralding a new era of excellence on the track.
