Jamaican runner, Oblique Seville, captured his first senior men’s title in the 100 metres race at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old ran a lifetime best of 9.77 seconds to claim the gold medal ahead of compatriot Kishane Thompson (9.82) in second and the USA’s Noah Lyles (9.89) in third.
Seville became the first Jamaican man since Usain Bolt in 2015 to become a world champion in the event.
“I feel really amazing and excited that the gold is coming home to Jamaica. I have proved that I am a true competitor, that I have the determination of a champion,” an elated Seville said after the race.
In the men’s long jump final, Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle captured the silver medal with a season’s best leap of 8.34 metres. He was overtaken by Italy’s 20-year-old, Mattia Furlani, who scored a personal best of 8.39m to claim the gold medal.
China’s Yuhao Shi took the bronze medal with a season’s best of 8.33m.
Meanwhile, despite finishing third in the women’s 100 metres, Saint Lucia’s Olympic champion Julien Alfred said she was satisfied with her performance.
The USA’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stormed to victory in a record time of 10.61 seconds, and Jamaica’s Tia Clayton grabbed the silver medal in a personal best time of 10.74 seconds. Alfred had to settle for bronze in 10.84 seconds.
Alfred pulls out of the 200m due to injury
Due to injury, Saint Lucia’s sprint queen, Julien Alfred, was forced to withdraw from the women’s 200 metres.
Shortly after placing third in the women’s 100m, Alfred revealed that she had strained her hamstring in the lead-up to the race.
The Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA) subsequently confirmed that Alfred would not participate in the Championships after sustaining a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
“On the advice of medical professionals and in consultation with her management team, our Olympic champion and 100m World Athletics Championships bronze medalist, Julien Alfred, has been withdrawn from the women’s 200m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo,” states the correspondence from the SLAA.
“Julien sustained a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The decision to withdraw prioritises her health and long-term career.”
