Under the watchful eyes of Usain Bolt in a packed Japan National Stadium, Oblique Seville became the first Jamaican man since the legend himself to claim a global 100m crown. The 24-year-old edged compatriot Kishane Thompson with a blistering personal best of 9.77 seconds in the men’s final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
This was my year and I wasn’t going to let anyone take it from me. I come from a small community, just like Usain. Sharing that journey with him means a lot. And tonight, Jamaica showed once again who is the boss.
Thompson, the season’s fastest sprinter at 9.75, had to settle for silver after a late surge from Seville denied him. “It was a good race, stacked with talent. I wanted the win, but I’m grateful to be here after the setbacks I’ve faced,” he admitted.
Defending champion Noah Lyles, ever the showman, delivered his season’s best of 9.89 for bronze. “That was an amazing race. I’ll never be disappointed with producing my best when it mattered,” Lyles said. True to character, he turned the spotlight back on culture and inspiration: “It’s about belief. Like in anime – if you keep saying you’ll be Pirate King, one day it comes true.”
For Jamaica, the result was historic – a 1-2 finish in the global 100m for the first time since Bolt’s era.
Our coaches like Stephen Francis have proven themselves time and again. Tonight, we rewrote history.
Jefferson-Wooden Floats to History in Women’s 100m
If Seville restored Jamaica’s supremacy in the men’s dash, the women’s 100m belonged to a determined American. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, unbeaten all year, stormed to her first world title in a championship record 10.61 – tying the fastest time ever seen at a global championship.
This year has been nothing short of a dream. I’ve been working so hard for this moment, focusing on execution. To run the perfect race at the right time means everything to me.
Her margin of victory – 0.15 seconds – was the second biggest in World Championships history. Behind her, Jamaica’s rising star Tina Clayton battled through self-doubt to secure silver in a personal best of 10.76. “There were times I wanted to give up after injuries, but my mother and friends kept believing in me. This medal is a stepping stone to greater things,” Clayton said, visibly emotional.
St Lucia’s Olympic champion Julien Alfred, despite pulling a hamstring mid-race, clung on for bronze in 10.84, securing her country’s first-ever World Championships medal. “I’m blessed to win this, even with the injury. We’ll see about the 200m,” Alfred said.
A Legend Bows Out, a New Chapter Begins
While the headlines belonged to Jefferson-Wooden, the women’s race also carried a poignant moment: the farewell of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. The 38-year-old Jamaican, winner of five world 100m titles, finished sixth in 11.03 in what will be her final global championship over the distance.
It was an honour to compete with her. She inspired me growing up, and to stand on the podium with her in the race is like a dream come true.
Jefferson-Wooden acknowledged the symbolism too. “My first Worlds were the last time she won. Back then, I finished last. To be here now as champion, with her in the field, shows how life can come full circle.”
A Night of Sprinting Excellence
Both 100m finals served as a reminder of track and field’s power to blend history, personality and raw speed. For Jamaica, Seville’s gold signalled a new era of dominance. For the United States, Jefferson-Wooden’s brilliance delivered a dream finish to an unbeaten season.
Tokyo witnessed the end of one legend’s story in Fraser-Pryce – and the birth of two new ones in Seville and Jefferson-Wooden.
