The anticipation for the men’s 100m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo was electric, fueled by a season of intense rivalry and standout performances. All eyes were on defending champion Noah Lyles of the United States, who confidently declared he was in the form of his life despite an injury-disrupted start to the season.

His biggest threats came from Jamaica, particularly Kishane Thompson, the world’s fastest man in 2025 with a blistering 9.75 seconds, and Oblique Seville, who had beaten Lyles twice in Diamond League meetings that year. The stage was set for a monumental clash, with Lyles aiming for a third consecutive global crown and Jamaica seeking its first world 100m title since Usain Bolt.

In a stunning display of power and composure, Oblique Seville fulfilled his promise, defeating Noah Lyles to claim the world 100m title in a personal best of 9.77 seconds. Seville, known for his explosive starts, executed a near-perfect race. He crossed the line ahead of his compatriot Kishane Thompson, who took silver in 9.82 seconds, while Lyles, the Olympic champion, had to settle for bronze in 9.89 seconds.

Seville’s victory was especially satisfying, especially after the tough challenge he faced at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He had a personal best of 9.81 in the semis, but an injury in the final left him with an eighth-place finish. This win really made up for that disappointment. His journey from that defeat to becoming a world champion really shows how resilient he is and how much his race strategy improved with the help of Usain Bolt’s former coach, Glen Mills.

This result really marks a big change in sprinting power returning to Jamaica, finally putting an end to the long wait for a world champion since the legendary Bolt retired. Seville’s win, along with Thompson snagging silver, really highlights just how strong Jamaican sprinting is. For Noah Lyles, the bronze medal marks a setback in his quest for dominance, though his remarkable career is far from over. So, it seems like Usain Bolt had a point about the American sprinter lately.

Not Noah Lyles, or anyone else on the radar of Usain Bolt

Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion and a longtime rival of Usain Bolt, believed that American sprinter Noah Lyles has the potential to eventually break Bolt’s amazing world records of 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters and 19.19 seconds in the 200 meters. This story has been on the fans’ radar since last year’s Paris Olympics. The heated rivalry that characterized their competing days has returned, however, as Bolt has responded to Gatlin’s support with a pretty sharp and dismissive reaction.

Runner’s World España shared that Usain Bolt said, “Noah Lyles is as crazy as Justin Gatlin for thinking he can beat my records.” The Jamaican track legend mentioned that while there’s a lot of talent around, he doesn’t believe any athlete today can top his records. He’s been feeling that way ever since he retired back in 2017. It’s pretty fascinating to see that Bolt’s dismissal is backed by the fact that only Yohan Blake has really come close to those records, with times of 9.69 for the 100m and 19.26 for the 200m, while Lyles’ personal bests are 9.79 and 19.31, respectively.

Now, Noah Lyles has to bounce back after losing at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships. The American sprinter really needs to get back to work and show everyone he’s back on track.