Noah Lyles & Co Face World Championships Threat as Oblique Seville Impresses After Reaching Tokyo

Oblique Seville has found a way to unsettle one of track and field’s dominant figures. Twice in recent months, the Jamaican sprinter has crossed the line ahead of Olympic champion Noah Lyles, first at the London Diamond League in July 2025 and most recently in Lausanne on September 6. His 9.87-second effort in the Swiss city underlined his progress and sharpened the conversation about what lies ahead at the World Championships in Tokyo. For a nation accustomed to supremacy in the 100 meters, Seville’s momentum has stirred anticipation.

The Lausanne race offered more than just a winning mark. Lyles, who clocked 10.02 seconds, was undone by a sluggish reaction to the gun. Seville capitalized, accelerating cleanly out of the blocks and holding form through the line. “Running 9.87 in those conditions shows I can go much faster, anywhere in the world, that’s a good time,” he said afterward. He added, “I’ve beaten the Olympic champion twice, in London and here, and that gives me a lot of confidence heading into the championships.” It was not the first time Seville had demonstrated his sharpness at the start, but this consistency against a major rival carried new weight.

The emphasis on his gun speed grew further in early September during a training appearance in Tottori Prefecture. In a video shared by a X account named ‘toshi_kichi,’ Seville was seen covering 110 meters in practice with exceptional acceleration off the line. “Oblique Seville of Team Jamaica runs 110m in Tottori Pref! Amazing run, I have high expectations!” read the caption. No official timing was made public, but the footage confirmed what fans had already noticed: Seville’s first steps are becoming a decisive weapon. With the championships approaching, his ability to seize control early in a race could shift the balance of power.

That possibility becomes clearer when his record at global meets is examined. In Budapest at the 2023 World Championships, he placed fourth in 9.88, narrowly missing the podium as Lyles took gold in 9.83. At the Paris Olympics in 2024, Seville won his semifinal in 9.81, again edging Lyles, but a hamstring problem left him eighth in the final with 9.91. His career to date has therefore been marked by fast times in preliminary rounds or circuit events, followed by frustration on the largest stages. Critics have wondered whether his talent could withstand the pressure of a final against the sport’s very best.

The London Diamond League in July 2025 gave a different impression. Seville’s 9.86 victory was the sole sub-10 performance of the day, achieved in a field that included Letsile Tebogo and Akani Simbine. He even raised his finger before the finish, a gesture of authority that contrasted with the hesitancy of previous years. Combined with the Lausanne triumph and his visible sharpness in Tottori, the sequence points toward an athlete arriving at a new level. Jamaica has waited since 2017 for a man to claim the global 100m crown. Seville believes he can end that drought, and with evidence mounting in his favor, few would argue that the opportunity is within reach. And now, fans can’t keep calm as Oblique Seville’s recent victories over Noah Lyles spark debates about form, fitness, and the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.

Oblique Seville emerges as a serious threat to Noah Lyles ahead of the Tokyo Worlds

One fan commented, “he’s about 3 races away from blowing that hamstring,” which likely refers to Seville’s history of injury issues, such as his hamstring problem at the 2024 Paris Olympics that left him eighth despite fast semifinal performances. This observation underscores concerns about his durability as he ramps up competition frequency ahead of major championships.

Another X user stated, “Insane frequency.” Seville has raced multiple times recently, including London and Lausanne Diamond Leagues, and training appearances in Tottori. Fans are noting the unusual intensity and consistency in his schedule, which may impact both his performance momentum and recovery.

The third fan remark – “Our side look in great shape enuh. Cover them lord 🙏🏽”- highlights pride in Seville’s current form and Jamaica’s sprinting prospects. His 9.87 in Lausanne and consistent starts off the blocks suggest a readiness to challenge established rivals, raising optimism among supporters.

In response to “If Noah starts well I think he will Obliique a run for his money,” fans are referencing the dynamic between Seville and Lyles. Seville’s ability to accelerate quickly and capitalize on Lyles’ slower starts suggests races could be tightly contested if the American reacts cleanly.

Another track enthusiast added, “He (Noah) mostly beats Oblique marginally or loses when healthy. Yall keep acting like Noah’s a god he’s a man,” underscores the head-to-head context. Seville has beaten Lyles twice recently in London and Lausanne, showing that victories are possible against the Olympic champion and challenging assumptions about Lyles’ dominance.

“7 Days to Go!,” added another enthusiastic fan. Such a take points to the anticipation for upcoming competitions, likely the World Championships in Tokyo. Fans are tracking Seville’s current form, recent sub-10 performances, and early acceleration, creating excitement about potential outcomes in the next major meet.