World Athletics: Oblique Seville Follows in Usain Bolt’s Footsteps, Tops 100m Ahead of Lyles

Oblique Seville channels Bolt, wins men’s 100m gold at World Athletics Championships.

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

Seville clocked a personal best of 9.77 seconds, with Thompson taking silver in 9.82 seconds. Lyles, the pre-race favourite, finished bronze in 9.89 seconds after a slow start, while Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo was disqualified for a false start. The victory marked the first Jamaican men’s 100m gold at Worlds since Usain Bolt in 2015, with Bolt himself cheering from the stands.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Seville. “I’ve proved myself as a true competitor and showed resilience. Finishing strong in the last 30 metres had been a problem, but I perfected it for the final. Winning in front of Usain Bolt makes it even more special.”

Melissa Jefferson shines in women’s 100m

In the women’s 100m, USA’s Melissa Jefferson dominated the field, winning gold in 10.61 seconds—a new Championship record and the fourth-fastest time ever. Jamaica’s Tina Clayton claimed silver with a personal best of 10.76, while Olympic champion Julien Alfred took bronze in 10.84.

Sha’Carri Richardson finished fifth in 10.94, with Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson in fourth (10.88) and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, competing in her final World Championships, sixth in 11.03. The men’s and women’s finals delivered thrilling performances, confirming a new generation of sprint stars while honoring legends of the past.