Oblique Seville becomes Jamaica’s first 100m world champion since Usain Bolt

Oblique Seville has finally delivered on the promise that Jamaican sprint fans have been waiting for, blazing to gold in the men’s 100m final at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships and ending the nation’s 10-year drought for a world champion in the event.

In a packed Olympic Stadium, Seville ran the race of his life, producing a dazzling new personal best of 9.79 seconds to hold off compatriot Kishane Thompson and reigning world and Olympic champion Noah Lyles. The victory not only crowned him the fastest man in the world but also restored Jamaica’s place at the top of the men’s sprinting hierarchy — a spot once dominated by the legendary Usain Bolt.

Jamaican 1-2 Dominance and Lyles’ Bronze

The final was one of the most anticipated races of the Tokyo championships, with Noah Lyles looking to defend his title and Thompson tipped as the favorite following his blistering performances in the semifinals. But it was Seville who rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

Clocking a lifetime best of 9.79s, Seville powered through the last 40 meters, edging Thompson, who crossed the line in 9.82s to secure silver. Lyles, despite posting a season’s best of 9.89s, had to settle for bronze, ending his streak of global 100m dominance.

For Seville, the victory was a breakthrough moment. He had been a fixture in global finals since 2022 but consistently fell short of the podium, often finishing fourth. His triumph in Tokyo marks a full-circle moment for the 23-year-old, who has endured criticism and doubt from fans and pundits alike for not converting talent into medals.

See also: Kanyinsola Ajayi makes history as first Nigerian to reach the world 100m finals

A New Era for Jamaican Sprinting

Seville’s victory is historic — the first Jamaican gold in the men’s 100m since Bolt won his final world title in 2015. It also marks the first time since the Bolt–Yohan Blake era that Jamaica has achieved a 1-2 finish at the World Championships. For a country whose sprinting reputation was built on dominance throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, this result signals a powerful resurgence.

In the post-race press conference, Seville was visibly emotional, crediting his coaches, support staff, and teammates for believing in him even during his toughest moments. “Delay is not denial. I’ve been so close so many times. Tonight, I told myself it was my time,” Seville said, his gold medal glinting under the bright lights of Tokyo’s media room.

The Jamaican camp erupted in celebration after the race, with Thompson graciously congratulating his teammate despite narrowly missing out on gold. “This is Jamaica’s night. We worked hard for this moment,” Thompson said, smiling through the disappointment of back-to-back silver medals at global meets.

Lyles, who had entered the final as the man to beat, admitted that the better man won on the night. “Seville ran an incredible race. This is what championships are about — showing up when the lights are brightest. I’ll be back stronger,” the American vowed.

Seville’s triumph has wider implications for the sport, too. For years, athletics has been waiting for a new face to step up as the global 100m leader in the post-Bolt era. With his blistering 9.79s, Seville not only cements himself as a favorite for future championships but also reignites the classic USA–Jamaica rivalry heading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

For Jamaican fans, the victory is a much-needed reminder that the island nation’s sprinting factory is far from exhausted. With Thompson, Ackeem Blake, and a promising new generation coming through, Jamaica looks set to dominate the sprint scene once again.