Oblique Seville Explains the Turning Point Toward Toppling Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson in Tokyo

Oblique Seville has explained the moment he knew he was destined to win the gold medal in the men’s 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Oblique Seville shocked a strong field to claim top honours in a personal best time of 9.77 seconds ahead of Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles, who finished second and third in respective times of 9.82 and 9.89 seconds.

The reigning world champion’s preparations began earlier in the season, but he faced a scare, which he overcame, and it was enough proof that he was meant to win the gold medal.

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Oblique Seville had missed out on winning a medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon and the 2023 edition in Budapest, Hungary, where he had finished fourth, and he was not going to allow a repeat of the same in Tokyo, Japan.

Speaking to Ato Boldon in an interview, Oblique Seville explained that he had sensed a problem during his warm-up at the national trials and mentioned it to his therapist, but after some treatment and a few strides, he believed he was ready to race.

Once he lined up, however, he suddenly experienced a sharp hamstring pain and realised that forcing it could lead to a serious injury, prompting him to signal for help.

Oblique Seville admitted that in that moment, he was overwhelmed by the fear of missing the chance to compete on the world stage. His only focus was to secure a place on the Jamaican team rather than any specific finishing position.

“I raised my hand, and one thing came to my mind, ‘If I don't make it here, I'm not going to run at words’, as the emotions started to take over, and I was just thinking about making the national team. I was not thinking about position or anything in that moment. I was just thinking about making the Jamaican national team in the top three,” Oblique Seville shared.

Oblique Seville admitted that the situation was even more heartbreaking because he felt he had arrived in excellent form, and after raising his hand in distress, he told officials he did not think he could continue.

The reigning world champion added that what ultimately enabled him to return to the start line was a brief moment of respite when his rival stepped aside for water and he was able to receive attention on his hamstring.

During that pause, the other athletes also took a moment to rehydrate, which bought him enough time to recover and get himself ready to try again.

“I think what let me run that race is that Kishane went over for some water while I went around the back to get my hamstring rubbed out. I think it was a lady,” he shared.

“When I was there, all of the athletes gathered, and they were going to get dehydrated because everyone was nervous. Everyone gathered and drank some water, which gave me some time to come back.”

Oblique Seville said that when he returned to the line, he knew many in the crowd doubted whether he should continue, but he chose to stay calm and simply respond to the start signal.

He explained that he managed to get away well, though not as sharply as he wanted, and quickly recognised that the discomfort he felt was real and not a reaction driven by nerves.

His only thought was securing a place on the team, and once he realised he had achieved that goal despite his physical condition, he became confident that, with full fitness at the championships, he would be capable of winning.

“When I realised what I did and what I was feeling, because it wasn't a joke. It wasn't a panic attack either because all I'm thinking about is making this team, and when I realised what I was feeling and made that team due to the condition of my body, I said okay, if I am healthy at the championship, I am not going to lose,” Oblique Seville shared.

Competing at the Jamaican trials, Oblique Seville finished second in 9.83 seconds behind Kishane Thompson, who timed a new personal best time of 9.75 seconds. Ackeem Blake rounded up the podium in 9.88 seconds.