‘Most Self Aware I Have Been’ - Kishane Thompson on Why World Championship 100m  Loss to Oblique Seville is a Blessing in Disguise

Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson says his silver medal at the World Athletics Championships is a blessing in disguise, describing it as the most self-aware he has ever felt in his career.

The 24-year-old clocked an impressive 9.82 seconds but was beaten to gold by compatriot Oblique Seville, who stormed to a personal-best 9.77 seconds to win his first global title. 

The victory ended Jamaica’s nine-year wait for a world 100m champion, last achieved by Usain Bolt in 2016.

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It became the second year in a row that Thompson finished second in a race most predicted him to finish first, having also missed out on the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games to Noah Lyles by 5000th of a second.

The 100m final was billed as one of the most competitive in recent history, featuring  Lyles, Thompson, in-form American Kenny Bednarek, and African sprint stars Letsile Tebogo and Akani Simbine.

Drama struck before the race even began, as Botswana’s Tebogo false-started and was disqualified, stunning the Budapest crowd. Once underway, Thompson appeared locked in a battle with Lyles for the title until Seville’s explosive late burst carried him past both men to secure gold in the outside lane.

While disappointed not to win, Thompson said the performance reflected his growth and consistency after two injury-hit seasons.

“We worked on more detailed things this year,” Thompson explained. “I’ve been figuring out my body as I go along, listening to it more, and avoiding the mistakes I made before.

“ I basically had a full season — I did some 60s, started with the Diamond Leagues, and stayed healthy. I didn’t get gold, but I finished injury-free, got a medal, and enjoyed myself.”

The sprinter admitted his 2023 campaign was deliberately cautious, with Stephen Francis and his MVP coaching staff making the decision not to let him race in the final of the Jamaican World Championship Trials for the Budapest edition.

 “Back then, I wasn’t healthy or fit enough to run rounds, so my coach and I focused on one-off races. It was about patience, building step by step. Looking back, it’s definitely paid off.”

Reflecting on the race, Thompson said his composure and race awareness had improved significantly, even though Seville caught him unaware towards the end of the race before going on to win.

“I knew I had to get a good start, but I didn’t let it cloud my mind. I focused on the whole flow — block start, building up, getting tall, floating down the track. Somewhere around 85 to 100m, I saw a yellow blur coming, and at the line, I knew I didn’t get it,” he said.

“But this is the most self-aware I’ve ever been. I know I have raw speed and power, but now I’ve added battle awareness and experience. Competing at this level keeps making me sharper, and I’m excited to keep showing how great I can be.”

For Thompson, the silver medal represents both a milestone and a lesson as he continues to mature on the world stage.

With youth on his side and a clear understanding of where he fell short, Thompson remains firmly in the conversation as one of the brightest prospects in global sprinting. His focus now turns to refining his race execution, ensuring that in the battles to come, he can challenge not only Seville but the world’s very best for gold.