The iconic National Stadium in Tokyo delivered a night to remember as fans witnessed one of the fastest men’s 100-metre finals in recent memory. Jamaica’s Oblique Seville stormed to gold, clocking an astonishing 9.77 seconds, a personal best that confirmed his arrival as the undisputed king of sprinting.
The 23-year-old, who has been building towards this moment for the past three seasons, executed a flawless race — combining an explosive start with a powerful drive phase that saw him separate from the field by the 60-metre mark. His victory sparked wild celebrations from Jamaican fans, who are reveling in yet another golden chapter of their nation’s sprinting dynasty.
Just behind him, fellow Jamaican Kishane Thompson powered through for silver in 9.82 seconds, completing a remarkable 1-2 finish for the Caribbean sprint powerhouse. Thompson, known for his smooth, almost effortless running style, stayed patient through the early stages before unleashing a blistering second half of the race to hold off a charging American challenge. His performance underlined Jamaica’s depth in the men’s sprints and hinted at an exciting rivalry with Seville for years to come.
Team USA did not leave empty-handed, with reigning world champion Noah Lyles securing bronze in 9.89 seconds, his season’s best. Lyles, who has dominated the 200 m in recent years, showed great determination to bounce back after a sluggish start. While he couldn’t quite match the Jamaicans’ top-end speed, his podium finish keeps him firmly among the elite and sets the stage for a fiery rematch at next year’s Olympic Games.
Kenneth Bednarek finished fourth in 9.92, a commendable performance that highlighted Team USA’s depth. South Africa’s Gift Leotlela claimed fifth in 9.95, continuing his steady rise on the global stage and giving South African athletics plenty to celebrate. Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi ran a spirited race to clock 10.00, just shy of breaking the magical sub-10 barrier. He will leave Tokyo encouraged, having shown that he can mix it with the very best.
Veteran sprinter Akani Simbine of South Africa crossed the line seventh in 10.04, still proving competitive at the highest level despite a stacked field. The biggest heartbreak of the night came for Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who was disqualified under TR16.8 for a false start — a bitter pill for the young star who had been tipped as a major medal contender.
This final will go down as one of the most memorable of the modern era — not just for its speed, but for the drama, national pride, and athletic excellence on display. With Seville now crowned world champion and Thompson pushing him every step of the way, the sprinting world is witnessing the dawn of a new Jamaican era.
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