When Usain Bolt praises an athlete, it’s definitely a special thing. However, when the Jamaican legend pinpointed Oblique Seville as the one who could beat his world record, the track and field realm was amazed. After all, such a statement coming from the man himself isn’t something we see top-level athletes like Bolt say all too often. Thus, as Seville was about to commence his track journey in 2025, the air of anticipation around him was pretty high. But as Seville just finished his 100m run, things didn’t pan out as per expectations.

Coming into the Grand Slam Track’s second installment in Miami, Seville was heavily favored to win. Unfortunately, with the race underway, Seville didn’t look too sharp off the blocks. Lagging significantly behind, Seville dropped a timing of 9.84s to finish his 100m race. This was, by no means, a bad run. Unfortunately, when compared to the winner, Kenny Bednarek, the timing left a lot to be desired. Bednarek blitzed past his opponents with a 100m timing of 9.79s. Meanwhile, playing second fiddle to Bednarek, Seville soon opened up on his future stance.

Facing the media right after his race, the Jamaican looked quite disappointed. However, when asked about the race, the 2020 Olympic semi-finalist initially gave the flowers to his opponents. Praising the likes of Bednarek, O’Keefe, and Adams, the Jamaican stated how they pushed him to bring out somewhat of a great timing.

However, Seville also knew that he needed to up the ante significantly. “Yeah, so I think I have a lot of work to do, but I’ll do better next time,” Seville reflected in an interview with Citius Mag. He also mentioned how his training has been on point as the Jamaican was eager to shed off more timings from his current 100m stats. 

Next up, Seville also spilled the truth about what he needed to do in order to get back up with the best. “I think I need to be more aggressive off the turn and see where that takes me… According to what has happened right now, I think I’m in second even though it’s a illegal time,” Seville reflected. Surely, the Jamaican is looking up to get more into his runs from the next event. Meanwhile, as Seville is in continuous pursuit of seeking greatness, he still has not forgotten his humble beginnings.

Oblique Seville opened up about his humble roots and deepest drive

Before he became a feared name on the track, Oblique Seville was already “running in her belly”—at least according to his mother. In a moment of raw honesty on Netflix’s Sprint, the Jamaican star peeled back the layers of his rapid rise, tracing it all back to a quiet, rural childhood and the unwavering strength of his family. “I come from a rural community. A small, small community. And everyone knew that I could run,” Oblique revealed, his voice laced with nostalgia.

That love for running was more than just talent—it was a lifeline. Raised by parents who struggled to make ends meet, Seville’s dreams were fed by sacrifice. His mother, Juliet, who gave birth to him at 39, carried not just a child but the weight of a family’s hope. “It wasn’t an easy road for me,” she admitted to The Weekend Star, recalling the lengths she and her husband went to support their son.

Losing his father at a young age only deepened Seville’s resolve. Though reserved off the track, the 5’6″ sprinter carries his family’s story with him every time he races. He might be small in stature, but his journey—rooted in resilience—is anything but.