Orlando Bennett's Early Gesture That Foreshadowed Oblique Seville's Rise to World Champion

Jamaican hurdler Orlando Bennett has shared insights into his friendship with reigning world champion Oblique Seville.

The 110m hurdles world silver medallist recalled meeting Oblique Seville for the first time in 2019, the same year he turned professional, noting that the sprinter was still finding his footing in the 100m at the time.

That year, Orlando Bennett represented Jamaica at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, where he reached the semifinals and finished sixth. He had finished fifth in the heats.

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Orlando Bennett recalled that when he turned professional in 2019, he gave a pair of his spikes to Oblique Seville, who had not yet begun consistently running sub-10-second times.

He said he did so after recognising Oblique Seville’s potential and humble personality, noting that it was rewarding to see him later rise to the level of world champion.

“In 2019, when I went pro before Oblique started to run under 10 seconds back to back, I had this pair of spikes, and I gave it to him because I saw the potential, and you know, he's this humble kid and easygoing. I just saw it as a gesture, and I gave him and look at that, now he's a world champion,” he revealed in an interview with Mr. Analyst aka Leighton Levy, on YouTube.

Orlando Bennett mentioned that Oblique Seville is one of the key figures who inspire and drive him to improve, alongside athletes like Zharnel Hughes and Antonio Watson.

He explained that their presence creates a sense of shared purpose, making training feel collaborative rather than solitary.

Although he is the only male hurdler in the group, Orlando Bennett noted that his teammates still offer guidance and encouragement during practice, which reflects the strong bond and supportive culture within their training camp.

“He’s one of the big factors, like apart from Zharnel Hughes or Antonio Watson, those people that push you to propel to higher heights; they motivate you. They show you that all right, this is the goal, and you're doing it together,” he added.

“You don't feel like you're alone. Even though I might be the only male hurdler at the track, they still motivate me when I'm training. They say, ‘Okay, work on this technique.

“Snap down the lead leg. Carry on the trail leg.’ So, it speaks volumes to the camp that I'm in and how we're well-knit and how we push each other each time.”

Orlando Bennett’s reflections capture the mutual respect and friendship he shares with Oblique Seville, a relationship built on a shared drive to excel at the highest level of track and field.