The Tokyo World Athletic Championships. The 100m men’s final. At stake? The world title. The debate? Noah Lyles or Kishane Thompson. But then came Oblique Seville, as a last-minute twist in the tale. Before the heats, Seville was a contender for gold. But then a sluggish start and third-place finish caused many to write him off for the final. Ultimately, however, the doubters were proven wrong, and the final ended with Seville posing for the cameras, his suit unzipped, the Jamaican flag draped around his shoulders, and the gold medal slung on his neck. Seville: 9.77s, Thompson: 9.82s, and Lyles: 9.89s, leaving the legendary Usain Bolt in shock and awe in his first time watching athletics since his retirement in 2017.

In his return to the sport, Bolt was treated to his compatriot storming his way to the gold medal. And once Seville crossed the finish line? Bolt was up on his feet, jumping up and down in the stands while cheering in delight. The 39-year-old quickly made his way to the track, first shaking Thompson’s hand before embracing Seville. After the race, in a Citius Mag interview, Seville was asked about his experience of being coached by Glenn Mills, pointing out that he is the same man who coached Usain Bolt.

The newly crowned world champion said, “It means a lot because you see, Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive which Glenn Mills coached, and to be under his tutelage is a dream come true. When I was like a teenager, a young kid, I was under his tutelage, and he’s done so much for me and taught me about the sport and led to become the world champion. That shows his class and that he’s one of the best coach in the world.”

Bolt is the fastest man, dead or alive. His world records for 100 m (9.58) and 200 m (19.19) have stood untouched over the years. As for Mills, he also served as head coach of the Jamaican Olympic athletics team from about 1987 to 2009. But his praise for Bolt did not stop there.

With his win, Seville has become the first Jamaican to win a 100m world gold since Usain Bolt at the 2016 Olympics. When asked how that felt, Oblique Seville said, “It means a lot because I am still under the same coach that actually coached Usain Bolt, and he’s the one that always dominate the sports and in this new generation, he’s proven himself over and over.”

Usain Bolt needs no introduction. The 8-time Olympic gold medalist and 11-time World Champion, is an icon who transcends the sport. So for someone like Bolt to reinforce his belief in Seville meant a lot. He saw potential in Seville; the reaction was a testament to it.

Usain Bolt shows his support to Oblique Seville

The newly crowned world champion is, to no one’s surprise, a card-carrying Usain Bolt fanboy, but what does Usain Bolt think of Seville’s chances at taking up his “fastest man alive” tag?

I feel like Oblique can do it. If he can stay fit during the season and get it right, I feel he can do it, because I am sure there is something there, the ability to do it,” said the when he was asked who can break his 100m world record.

The 9.77s is Seville’s personal best; reaching the 9.58 record is going to be tough. On the question of who can restore Jamaica to the pinnacle of men’s sprinting, Usain Bolt said, “Oblique can do it. If he can stay fit through the season and get it right, he can do it because I’m sure there’s something there, the ability to do it.” He already brought the 100m World Championship Gold back to Jamaica after 10 years; maybe he is him. Do you agree with Bolt’s analysis?