At the 2025 Lausanne Diamond League, Olympic champion Noah Lyles once again found himself trailing behind Jamaica’s rising sprint star, Oblique Seville—and this time, he attributes his loss to one critical moment: a flawed reaction at the start.
In soggy conditions under relentless rain, Seville burst from the blocks with remarkable explosiveness, emerging uncatchable and ultimately capturing the men’s 100-meter title in an impressive 9.87 seconds. Lyles, hampered by a poor launch, could muster only a furious drive toward the finish, clocking 10.02 seconds, which tied him with Ackeem Blake for second place .
Lyles’ candid reflection in the video sheds light on the razor-thin margins at the elite level: “I just had a horrible reaction to the gun,” he admits. “I felt good technically, my warm-up was solid, but once you miss the start at this level, the race is basically over.” His focus now shifts to refining those first vital moments—especially his drive phase and reaction—to regain momentum heading into the World Championships in Tokyo .
Seville’s victory, his second over Lyles in a matter of weeks (having also outpaced him in London), is a statement. Even under adverse weather, the Jamaican sprinter’s confidence undeniably gains strength heading into September’s global stage . For Lyles, the string of Diamond League setbacks is a signal to sharpen his competitive edge, particularly in reaction speed.
Recent race results paint a picture of evolving rivalries:
In London (July), Seville came out blazing with a 9.86-second masterclass in wet conditions, again defeating Lyles, who finished second in 10.00 seconds .
Earlier in the season at Silesia, Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson also outperformed Lyles, posting 9.87 seconds to Lyles’ 9.90 .
Facing such fierce competition underscores the importance of sharpening every aspect of one’s performance. Lyles, climbing back from an ankle injury that delayed the start to his season, views each race not as a setback but as a stepping stone: “I feel great—healthy, confident. Every race will get better,” he remarked .
As the Tokyo World Championships draw near, the 100-meter field has never been more stacked—and starts have never been more critical. Lyles knows that underperformance in the early phases of a sprint can define the outcome, regardless of how strong his middle or final phases may be.
In summary, this meeting in Lausanne wasn’t just another loss—it was a lesson. Lyles shoulders the responsibility: he knows exactly what went wrong, and he’s already targeting corrections in preparation for the main event. Meanwhile, Seville’s back-to-back Diamond League triumphs reaffirm his rising status and his capacity to perform under pressure.
The sprint world watches on, primed for Tokyo—where the starting blocks may once again be the stage for high drama, and where Lyles hopes to explode forward rather than ultimately play catch-up.
Be the first to comment