Oblique Seville won Jamaica’s first world 100m title in a decade, clocking a blistering personal best of 9.77 seconds to win gold in Tokyo on Sunday.
Seville held off compatriot Kishane Thompson, who secured silver in 9.82 seconds, while defending champion Noah Lyles had to settle for bronze with 9.89.
The victory marked Jamaica’s first men’s world sprint crown since Usain Bolt’s iconic 100m and 200m double at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.
Bolt, an 11-time world champion and vocal supporter of Seville and Thompson, had confidently predicted a Jamaican 1-2 finish. His forecast proved spot-on as both sprinters surged past Lyles, prompting the sprint legend to leap to his feet in celebration from the stands.
The atmosphere turned electric as Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” blasted through the stadium speakers, with jubilant Jamaican fans in full voice. Seville, soaking in the moment, tore open the top of his sprint suit in celebration after delivering on a decade-long wait for gold.
AFP
