Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Oblique Seville Ushers in New Era of Jamaican Sprinting With World 100m Crown

By: Denise N. Fyffe

Jamaica roared back to the summit of men’s sprinting as Oblique Seville stormed to his first global title in the men’s 100 metres final at the World Athletics Championships, clocking a scintillating 9.77 seconds on Sunday night at Japan National Stadium. The 23-year-old delivered a performance of a lifetime, surging ahead in the final strides to lead a historic Jamaican 1–2 finish — the nation’s first since the legendary Usain Bolt era.

Running with poise and unshakable confidence, Seville held off compatriot Kishane Thompson, who claimed silver in 9.82, while reigning world and Olympic champion Noah Lyles of the United States had to settle for bronze in 9.89, despite mounting a late charge.

The result electrified the Tokyo crowd — with Bolt himself watching from the stands — as Jamaica reclaimed its sprinting supremacy, almost a decade after its last men’s 100m world crown.

Final Results — Men’s 100m, Tokyo 2025

Position	Athlete	Nation	Time	Reaction
1	Oblique Seville	JAM	9.77 (PB)	0.157
2	Kishane Thompson	JAM	9.82	0.160
3	Noah Lyles	USA	9.89 (SB)	0.192
4	Kenneth Bednarek	USA	9.92	0.211
5	Gift Leotlela	RSA	9.95	0.184
6	Kayinsola Ajayi	NGR	10.00	0.177
7	Akani Simbine	RSA	10.04	0.162
—	Letsile Tebogo	BOT	DQ (False Start)	-0.317

Seville’s Moment of Arrival

The victory not only delivered Jamaica’s first world men’s 100m title since 2015, but also confirmed Seville as the new standard-bearer of the island’s sprinting legacy.

Seville’s triumph comes as part of a youthful Jamaican resurgence, led by his own breakthrough and the rapid rise of Thompson, who displayed composure and consistency through every round of competition. Their performance was not just about medals — it was a symbolic passing of the torch.

For a decade, Bolt’s shadow loomed large over global sprinting, his charisma and dominance defining an era. Now, with Seville’s gold and Thompson’s silver, Jamaica has re-established itself atop the world, sending a powerful message that the island nation is once again the heartbeat of sprinting.

The Bolt Legacy Lives On

Bolt, who claimed his last world title in Beijing 2015, cheered proudly from the stands as Seville and Thompson revived the tradition of Jamaican excellence on the track. The result marked a historic milestone: the first Jamaican 1–2 finish in the men’s 100m since Bolt and Yohan Blake in 2013.

For Noah Lyles, bronze represented resilience after a shaky semifinal performance nearly cost him a place in the final. But on this night, there was no denying the Jamaican duo.

The Road Ahead

As the championships continue, Seville’s golden run signals not just an individual victory but the dawn of a new chapter in sprinting. For Jamaican fans, it is the reassurance that the legacy left by Bolt is alive and thriving in the hands — and lightning legs — of a new generation.

“Jamaica is back,” Seville declared with his run. And the world, once again, is watching.

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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.