In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 Wanda Diamond League in London, Jamaica’s Oblique Seville pulled off a sensational upset by defeating reigning world champion and American sprint star Noah Lyles in the men’s 100m final. The crowd at the London Stadium witnessed one of the most electrifying races of the season as Seville stormed to victory in a personal best of 9.83 seconds, outpacing a field stacked with elite talent.
Coming into the meet, all eyes were on Noah Lyles, who has dominated the global sprinting scene since his triple gold haul at the 2023 World Championships. Many expected him to cruise to another Diamond League victory, especially with key rivals like Fred Kerley and Christian Coleman absent from the race. However, Seville had other plans.
The Jamaican, often viewed as a potential heir to the sprinting legacy left by Usain Bolt, showed that he’s ready to step into the spotlight. He executed a near-perfect race, starting strong and maintaining form under pressure in the final 40 metres, where Lyles usually gains ground. Instead of fading, Seville found another gear, holding off a fast-closing Lyles and crossing the line with a wide-eyed look of disbelief.
Lyles, who finished second in 9.88 seconds, was gracious in defeat but visibly frustrated. “He got me today, plain and simple,” Lyles admitted in the post-race interview. “Oblique ran an incredible race. I’ll go back, watch the film, and make the necessary adjustments. But hats off to him — he earned that win.”
For Seville, the win is more than just a Diamond League triumph — it’s a statement. Since finishing fourth at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and narrowly missing medals at past World Championships, the 24-year-old has been knocking on the door of greatness. This performance could mark a turning point, with Jamaica now buzzing about a potential return to sprinting dominance.
“It feels amazing. Beating a guy like Noah, who’s been at the top for so long, shows that I’m on the right path,” Seville said. “I’ve worked really hard this season with my coach, focusing on my start and finishing strength. Today, everything came together.”
The race also had implications for the wider sprinting landscape. With the Paris 2025 World Championships just weeks away, Seville’s victory reshuffles the pecking order and injects excitement into what was shaping up to be another American-dominated sprint campaign. Suddenly, Jamaica has a serious 100m medal contender.
Other notable performances in the race included Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, who placed third in 9.94, continuing his consistent 2025 season. South Africa’s Akani Simbine was fourth, while Britain’s Zharnel Hughes disappointed with a fifth-place finish on home soil.
As the Diamond League moves on to Zurich, Seville’s win in London has already become the talk of the track and field world. For Jamaican fans, it was a powerful reminder of the nation’s rich sprinting history — and perhaps, a glimpse of its future.
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