In the bustling intensity of London’s Olympic Stadium, the lineup was stacked, and the track world braced itself for another Noah Lyles show. The American sprint king, known for his blistering kicks and unshakable confidence, had rarely been humbled in recent memory. But as the crowd roared on July 20, 2025, it was not Lyles but Oblique Seville who sprinted through the finish line first in the men’s 100m, clocking a clinical 9.86 seconds. In that moment, he didn’t just beat Lyles; he forced the track and field world to take notice.

Seville’s 9.86-second scorcher, against a -0.6 m/s headwind, handed Lyles his first London defeat in three years, with Lyles clocking 10.00 seconds for second. Seville’s explosive start and flawless form stunned the field, including stars like Letsile Tebogo and Akani Simbine. His strategy? A masterclass in pacing, dominating early and holding strong. But what truly lit up the headlines came not from the track, but from the mic. So, what did American sprint royalty have to say about Seville’s rise?

Enter Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100m champ, who delivered a bold endorsement on his Ready Set Go podcast: “Oblique Seville is one of the most talented, if not the most talented, 100 metre sprinter… ever.” High praise from a sprinting legend with five world titles. Gatlin marveled at Seville’s speed despite his smaller stature, noting, “At the size of how his stature, compared to the times that he runs, yes, it is very impressive. I love that he can go out there and do that.”

Seville’s 9.82-second personal best at the 2024 Racers Grand Prix and his 9.83-second runner-up at the Jamaican Championships (despite a hamstring issue) back Gatlin’s hype. So, what’s the key to Seville’s potential dominance?

Gatlin’s got the blueprint: strategic navigation. He emphasized, “What we’re looking for now is… can he navigate through those rounds… and show what he has in the tank, in the finals?” Forget burning out in the semis for a flashy time or prime lane. Gatlin, who’s been there, advised, “You don’t gotta do all that. Just… secure yourself a lane and rest your body so you have enough energy for that finals.” Seville’s London win showed he’s learning, conserving energy early, then unleashing hell. Could this approach make him untouchable?

If Seville masters the rounds, Gatlin sees gold: “If Oblique can navigate from the prelims, semis, and handle business in the finals, I don’t see why he would not be on that top of that podium.” Despite a last-place finish in the 2024 Olympic final, Seville’s grit signals a star on the rise. With the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo looming, is Seville ready to claim sprinting’s crown? Meanwhile, Lyles remains upbeat after the loss.

Noah Lyles reflects on London loss to Oblique Seville

The London Stadium was electric on July 19, 2025, as Jamaica’s Oblique Seville stunned the sprinting world, blazing to a 9.86-second 100m win at the Wanda Diamond League. Noah Lyles, the Olympic champ, crossed in 10.00 seconds, his first London loss in three years. Yet, Lyles stayed upbeat, telling reporters, “I feel great after that, I feel extremely healthy and I am feeling no pain.” Clocking his fastest-ever season opener despite a -0.6 m/s headwind, he added, “I wanted the win but… I will take that result today.” Seville’s explosive start left Lyles chasing, but can he turn this setback into a comeback?

Lyles’ mindset was all about staying cool. He reflected, “You are going to see Oblique out there and just be like, ok, do not let it get to your head, just go and try and chase them, reel them in little by little, just like any race.” Despite the loss, he stayed focused, noting, “And then of course there is the moment when you cross the line and you are like, I did not get it this time.” So, what kept him grounded?

For Lyles, it’s about execution over panic. He emphasized, “The most important thing was not to panic, to make sure that I hit all the positions regardless.” With the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon, can Lyles refine his chase to reclaim the top spot?