The 2025 World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo produced a stunning upset in the men’s 100m final as Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville claimed gold with a personal best time of 9.77 seconds.
This victory marked the first time a Jamaican man has won the world 100m title since the legendary Usain Bolt in 2015, reigniting Jamaica’s dominance in sprinting on the global stage.
Seville’s win came in a race that had been widely anticipated as a showdown primarily between Olympic gold and silver medalists Noah Lyles of the United States and Kishane Thompson of Jamaica.
With sprint icon Usain Bolt watching from the stands, Seville surged ahead in the final moments of the race, overtaking both Thompson and defending world champion Lyles, who had been considered favorites.
Thompson finished strong to secure the silver medal with a time of 9.82 seconds, adding to his growing reputation as a rising star after his Olympic success. Lyles, who faced difficulties with his start, finished third, taking the bronze with a time of 9.89 seconds.
Seville’s performance was the culmination of a breakthrough season, where he had consistently posted impressive times but had often been overshadowed by the flamboyant Lyles and the season’s fastest man Thompson.
His ability to peak at the crucial moment exemplified in his semifinal performance, where he clocked 9.86 seconds, setting the stage for his dominant final run.
The atmosphere in the Japan National Stadium was electric as the Jamaican contingent celebrated this historic 1-2 finish in the men’s 100m, with Seville ripping off his sprint jersey in jubilation as Bolt looked on approvingly.
It was a symbolic moment, signaling the return of Jamaican sprint supremacy and the emergence of a new generation of champions.
This victory also underscored the depth of Jamaica’s sprinting talent, as Seville not only defeated the favorites but did so impressively under the pressure of the world’s biggest athletics stage. His win is seen by many as a passing of the torch within Jamaican sprinting, with Seville joining the ranks of greats like Bolt and Thompson.
In summary, the World Athletics Championships 2025 men’s 100m final will be remembered for Oblique Seville’s stunning upset and champion’s composure, as he outsprinted the fastest men of the season to become the new world champion and blaze a path of hope and inspiration for Jamaican athletics.