In a thrilling showdown that sent ripples through the world of track and field, Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville stunned the sprinting elite by defeating reigning world champion Noah Lyles to win his first-ever Diamond League 100m race. The electrifying moment unfolded at the 2025 London Diamond League meeting, where a star-studded lineup of sprinters took center stage—but it was Seville who stole the spotlight.
Seville, 23, crossed the finish line in a blistering 9.86 seconds, holding off a late surge from Lyles, who clocked 9.90. The Jamaican’s victory was not only a personal breakthrough but also a strong statement ahead of the World Athletics Championships. Known for his potential and flashes of brilliance over the past few years, Seville finally delivered on the big stage, confirming his arrival among the world’s sprinting elite.
Lyles, who had dominated the early part of the 2025 season with impressive wins in both the 100m and 200m, entered the race as the favorite. The American sprinter has been vocal about his ambition to win the sprint treble—100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay—at the upcoming World Championships. While this loss does little to dent his status, it serves as a timely reminder that the path to gold won’t be uncontested.
Seville, for his part, ran a technically sound race. Exploding out of the blocks with a sharp start, he maintained excellent form and drive phase through the middle portion of the race. As Lyles began to close the gap in the final 20 meters, Seville held firm, refusing to yield. His poise under pressure was remarkable, especially given the quality of the competition.
“I’ve been working really hard for this moment,” Seville said after the race. “Beating someone like Noah, who’s been at the top for a long time, gives me a lot of confidence. But this is just the beginning.”
The Jamaican’s win adds intrigue to what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive sprint seasons in recent history. With Lyles, Seville, Letsile Tebogo, and Ferdinand Omanyala all trading wins on the Diamond League circuit, the men’s 100m is wide open.
The London crowd roared with excitement at the upset, as many had expected another dominant display from Lyles. But the defeat might ultimately serve as useful motivation for the American, who has built his career on resilience and adaptation. “Hats off to Seville—he ran a great race,” Lyles said. “This doesn’t change my goals. I’ll take the lessons and keep moving forward.”
Seville’s win also carries significant meaning for Jamaica, a nation with a rich sprinting legacy but which has been searching for a new male sprinting icon in the post-Usain Bolt era. With this victory, Seville may have just positioned himself as the heir apparent.
As the Diamond League heads into its final stages and the World Championships loom, fans can expect more fireworks. Seville’s triumph over Lyles has reignited old rivalries and sparked new narratives, ensuring that the road to global sprint supremacy remains as exciting—and unpre
dictable—as ever.
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