Oblique Defeats Noah Again Julien Makes 200m History + Jamaica’s 4×100 Qualifies | London DL Recap

 

 

The London leg of the Wanda Diamond League 2025 brought fireworks to the track as Jamaican athletes stole the spotlight with thrilling performances. Oblique Seville repeated his heroics over American sprint king Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred blazed her way into history with a jaw-dropping 200m performance, and Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team sealed a crucial qualification for the upcoming World Championships.

 

Once again, Oblique Seville proved he’s more than just a contender—he’s a serious challenger for global sprint supremacy. Just weeks after upsetting Noah Lyles in Monaco, Seville doubled down with another scintillating victory in London. Clocking 9.86 seconds in the men’s 100m final, Seville edged out Lyles (9.90) in a tense battle that had the sell-out crowd on its feet.

 

This marks Seville’s second Diamond League win of the season, and his back-to-back triumphs over the reigning world champion have sparked serious discussions about who’s really the man to beat heading into the World Championships.

 

Lyles, who has typically used the Diamond League as a fine-tuning platform ahead of major championships, was gracious in defeat but visibly frustrated. “Oblique is running great, and I’ve got to get sharper,” he said post-race. For Seville, however, the victory was more than just another win—it was confirmation. “I’m not just showing up anymore. I’m here to win titles,” he declared.

 

If Seville’s sprint stunned the fans, Julien Alfred’s 200m performance absolutely electrified them. The Saint Lucian speedster clocked a staggering 21.71 seconds—setting a new world lead and smashing her own national record.

 

Alfred’s curve execution and powerful finish left the field trailing by meters. Her time is now the second-fastest in Diamond League history, only behind Florence Griffith-Joyner’s all-time mark. More importantly, it signaled that the women’s 200m field at the World Championships could face a new queen.

 

“I felt like I was flying,” Alfred said after the race. “Everything clicked today. The training, the mindset, the energy from the crowd—it was perfect.” Her performance now positions her firmly among the medal favorites and a real threat to global powerhouses like Shericka Jackson and Gabby Thomas.

 

To cap off a brilliant day for Jamaican athletics, the men’s 4x100m relay team finally hit their stride. The quartet—comprised of Rohan Watson, Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville, and Jelani Walker—executed crisp baton changes and crossed the line in 37.92 seconds, punching their ticket to the World Championships. The time also places them within the top three in the world for the season.

 

After months of inconsistent handoffs and underwhelming finishes, the team looked polished and dangerous in London. “We’ve been working hard to get this right,” said anchor man Jelani Walker. “Today, we delivered. But there’s still more to come.”

 

With Seville peaking at the right time, Julien Alfred rewriting the record books, and Jamaica’s relay squad back in business, the London Diamond League was a statement meet for Caribbean athletics. With the World Championships now just weeks away, all eyes will be on these athletes to see if they can carry this momentum onto the

biggest stage.