Oblique Seville: Jamaica’s New Sprint Sensation

When Oblique Seville was just 10 years old, he made a bold declaration to his mother: he wanted to be trained by the legendary Usain Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills. Fast forward to today, and that dream has blossomed into reality. Seville recently achieved the ultimate milestone in his young career by becoming the 100m world champion, a feat that echoes the glory of his idol, Usain Bolt.

A Night to Remember

The atmosphere at the National Stadium in Tokyo was electric. The heat and humidity felt like a steam room, but that didn’t faze Seville. As he stood at the starting blocks, he exuded calmness, ready to pounce. The crowd buzzed with excitement, especially when Bolt himself was spotted cheering like a superfan. “It was a pleasure to have Usain watching me,” Seville said, beaming with pride. “His coach is my coach, and I know they are both very proud of me right now.”

The Race of His Life

As the race began, Kishane Thompson, another Jamaican sprinter, shot out of the blocks like a rocket. He held the lead until the final few meters, but Seville had been biding his time. “I enjoyed myself,” Thompson later admitted. “But when it came to the last five meters, I saw Oblique was moving. And then I was like ‘oh’.”

In a thrilling finish, Seville surged ahead, crossing the line in 9.77 seconds. Thompson took silver at 9.82 seconds, while reigning Olympic champion Noah Lyles claimed bronze in 9.89 seconds. Lyles, ever the entertainer, shared his thoughts post-race, attributing his performance to an injury that had hampered his season. “Even in the final, I was able to run my season’s best, and I will never be disappointed with that,” he said.

Overcoming Adversity

For Seville, this victory was especially sweet. He had narrowly missed out on medals in previous championships, finishing fourth twice. The 2023 World Championships in Budapest was particularly tough, as he clocked 9.88 seconds—matching the times of the silver and bronze medalists. “I’ve proved that I am a true competitor,” Seville reflected. “But still, I was panicking. Finishing strong in the last 30 to 40 meters was something I struggled with the whole season.”

His journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Last year at the Olympics, he had run the fastest semi-final time but suffered a hamstring injury in the final. “I learnt from my mistake,” he said. “Track and field is both mental and physical. I think I have mastered the mental part of it.”

A Nation’s Pride

Seville’s triumph brings the title of the fastest man on the planet back to Jamaica, a country renowned for its sprinting prowess. “The last time Jamaica won a men’s 100m global gold medal was in 2016 when Usain Bolt got it,” he noted. “The gold is coming home.”

As the celebrations continue, one can’t help but wonder: what’s next for this rising star? With his determination and talent, the sky seems to be the limit for Oblique Seville. Will he continue to break records and inspire the next generation of Jamaican sprinters? Only time will tell.