World Athletics Championships: Jamaican Sprinter Beats Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles To Win 100m Gold In Tokyo

Oblique Seville is the 100m new world champion after outpacing his rivals, Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles, at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday. 

In front of the crowded Tokyo stadium, Seville, 24, delivered a sensational pace, darting ahead of his counterpart at the blast of the whistle. He clocked the fastest time in 9.77 seconds, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist, Lyles, who finished third in 9.88 seconds, while his countryman, Thompson, came second in 9.82 seconds. 

Thompson had the better pace for the first 50m before Seville picked up the pace in the final half of the race and edged the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist to win the race. He became the first Jamaican to win the World Athletics Championships since Usain Bolt did in 2015. Interestingly, the multiple Olympic gold medallist, Bolt, was also present amongst the crowd. 

"I have proved that I am a true competitor, that I have the determination of a champion," said Seville about his performance. "Finishing strong in the last 30 to 40 metres was something I was struggling with the whole season, I just didn't recognise it. Now I have perfected it."

Winning the gold was Seville's first in an international Championship. Compared to his previous performances. The time he set on the timesheet was his career personal best. In addition, the time set by Seville outpaced the Olympic time set by Thompson (9.79s) and Lyles (9.79s). 

Nigerian sprinter, Konyinsola Ajayi, who finished sixth, was the first athlete to represent the country at the championship in 18 years. He finished in 10.00s. American Kenneth Bednarek finished fourth, and South African Gift Leotlela finished fifth. In the seventh position was Akani Simbine.