Oblique Seville dethrones Lyles to claim 100m World Title in Tokyo

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Jamaica’s Oblique Seville has announced himself as the new face of men’s sprinting after storming to victory in the 100 metres final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, clocking a blistering 9.77 seconds, the fastest time of his career.

Seville, 23, finally broke the cycle of near-misses that had haunted his career.

After finishing fourth in back-to-back World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics, he produced the race of his life under the bright lights of Tokyo’s National Stadium.

His victory handed Jamaica its first men’s 100m world title since the retirement of the legendary Usain Bolt in 2017.

Fellow Jamaican Kishane Thompson secured silver in 9.82 seconds, completing a remarkable one-two finish for the Caribbean nation.

Defending champion and American favourite Noah Lyles, who had carried huge expectations into the championships after dominating the 2023 Worlds in Budapest, settled for bronze with a season’s best 9.89 seconds.

For Jamaica, the result marks a symbolic return to global dominance in the blue-riband event. Fans inside the stadium roared as Seville powered through the final metres, fending off Thompson’s challenge and leaving Lyles trailing.

Among those celebrating was Usain Bolt, watching from the stands, who rose to his feet as his compatriot crossed the line.

Seville’s time of 9.77s places him among the top ten fastest men in history and firmly establishes him as the successor to Jamaica’s sprinting throne.

Speaking after the race, an emotional Seville said: “I’ve been chasing this for years, always fourth, always so close. Tonight, I showed the world that I belong here. This gold means everything to me, to Jamaica, and to everyone who has supported me through the tough times.”

His victory came despite a rocky start to the championships. In the heats, he narrowly avoided elimination after stumbling out of the blocks, but his resilience shone through in the semi-finals and final.

For Noah Lyles, the bronze medal was a bitter pill. The American sprinter, who had been vocal about his ambition to dominate both the 100m and 200m, admitted disappointment: “It wasn’t my night. I gave it my all, but Seville and Thompson were better. I’ll come back stronger for the 200m.”