Oblique Seville Channels Bolt, Outpaces Noah Lyles to Win 100m Gold at World Athletics

Oblique Seville emulates Bolt, claims men’s 100m gold at World Athletics Championships.

Oblique Seville, 24, of Jamaica, delivered the performance of his career on the grandest stage, winning the men’s 100m gold at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday, 14 September. After bronze medals in Eugene 2022 and Budapest 2023, Seville ran the race of his life, defeating compatriot Kishane Thompson and Olympic champion Noah Lyles in a thrilling final.

Seville clocked a personal best of 9.77 seconds, with Thompson taking silver in 9.82 seconds. Lyles, who entered Tokyo as the favourite, could not recover from a sluggish start and settled for bronze in 9.89 seconds. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo was disqualified for a false start, adding to the drama.

The occasion was made extra special by the presence of Usain Bolt in the stands, cheering on Jamaica’s 1-2 finish. Seville became the first Jamaican since Bolt in 2015 to win the men’s 100m at the World Championships.

Seville said, “It’s an excellent feeling. Last year I struggled in the Olympic final, but this time I’ve proven myself as a true competitor. Finishing strong in the last 30 metres had been a problem, but I perfected it for the final. Doing it in front of Usain is a tremendous feeling.”

Lyles, who battled injuries and a disrupted season, reflected positively despite the loss. “You always want gold, but it’s been a crazy season. I gave my best, and I’m never going to be disappointed in that,” he said.

Melissa Jefferson stuns in women’s 100m

In the women’s 100m final, USA’s Melissa Jefferson produced a sensational run to claim gold in 10.61 seconds—a new Championship record and the fourth-fastest time in history. Tina Clayton of Jamaica took silver in a personal best of 10.76, while Olympic champion Julien Alfred claimed bronze in 10.84.

Sha’Carri Richardson, Jefferson’s compatriot and 2023 silver medallist, finished fifth in 10.94. Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finished fourth and sixth, respectively, with Fraser-Pryce signing off from her final World Championships after a legendary career.