Oblique Seville: World Athletics Championship 100m gold ushers in new era for Jamaican sprinting

Seville ripped his vest in celebration after demonstrating his true character by delivering a personal best time of 9.77 seconds.

It was enough to hold off Kishane Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, in a Jamaican one-two which signalled a shift in fortunes for the Caribbean island in the men’s event.

Arriving during the championships at which women’s great Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will end her illustrious career, 21-year-old Tina Clayton also won silver in the women’s final in a later-than-hoped changing of the guard for Jamaica at Japan’s National Stadium.

While dethroned champion Noah Lyles was never in contention for gold in the men’s event following an injury-disrupted season, the United States still had Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s breakthrough title to celebrate as the dominance of those two nations in the sprint events continued.

After Seville’s triumph ended a run of four straight world men’s 100m titles for the USA, he and his nation will hope it can kickstart their own golden period of success.

“Any Jamaican athlete in the sprints is following on from one of the greatest of all-time, so there is inevitably added pressure,” Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford said on BBC TV.

“Every time they step on the track, they have to deal with the pressure of a nation that absolutely love their sprints. Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson have absolutely chewed that pressure up, swallowed it and done exactly what needed to be done.”

Commentating on Seville’s crowning moment, Steve Cram said: “Oblique Seville has finally come of age, finally he has proven his talent and finally he has found a way to win.

“All the nerves, doubts and talking – banished in 9.7 seconds.

“The United States have owned this event for a while, but Jamaica have taken it back.”