The beginning of 2025 saw Kishane Thompson make quite a bang with a remarkable victory at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold. But while he ended up with a gold in Astana, his performances henceforth have been anything but remarkable. From a big fumble at the 2025 World Relays to missing the top spot in a razor-thin loss to Akani Simbine at the Diamond League, Kishane has had a tough year so far. But it seems his pains wouldn’t be ending anytime soon, as a new challenger has also entered the fray.

His name? Oblique Seville. And his return from injury, along with the masterclasses by the likes of Kenny Bednarek, has made things quite tough for the 2024 silver medalist. Especially if he’s chasing the world-leading 9.86s mark set by Kenny. This will be Thompson’s first time lining up at the Racers Grand Prix, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. According to track analyst Anderson Emerole, the Jamaican might still hold a slight edge.

But not without questions. “Kishane… he’s in great form right now,” Emerole shared on The Final Leg Track & Field podcast. “He’s been running frequently this season, and this might be his last outing before the Jamaican trials,” Emerole added. With times of 9.99 and a wind-aided 10.03 under his belt already in 2025, Thompson has shown he’s consistent. But consistency may not be enough with Seville and Walaza primed to disrupt.

Emerole emphasized that Thompson’s health will be key, noting, “He looks healthy and confident… he’s probably eyeing that world lead.” The 24-year-old certainly has the pedigree, having clocked sub-9.85 five times in 2024 alone. But this field is not here to admire him. Oblique Seville, despite recent injury concerns, is expected to push the pace if he’s fully recovered.

Seville’s 9.84 (albeit slightly wind-aided) and recent 20.13 in the 200m show a sprinter well-tuned. If his body holds up. Meanwhile, Bayanda Walaza is arriving with momentum and zero fear. The reigning World U20 Champion has dipped under 10 seconds twice this year, with a 9.94 into a headwind in Zagreb making global heads turn.

“He’s taking on a big challenge here,” said Emerole, “but even if he doesn’t win, every race like this sharpens him for what’s to come.” Walaza’s explosive starts, especially when clean, could put even veterans like Thompson on notice. If he hits his rhythm, he could flirt with the U20 world record of 9.91. This race isn’t just about medals. It’s about statements.

Can Thompson prove he’s more than just a 2024 phenomenon? Will Seville remind everyone why he’s Jamaica’s top contender when healthy? Or could the young Walaza blow the doors open and announce himself as the next sprinting superstar? The men’s 100m in Kingston may be short in distance. But it’s packed with drama. And going forward, Kishane Thompson has a mission in 2025. He vows to egg up his speed further.

Kishane Thompson eyes Tokyo glory after silver stunner in Paris

Kishane Thompson isn’t looking back. Not even for a silver medal. After stunning the world with a near-upset of Noah Lyles in the Olympic 100m final, the 23-year-old Jamaican sprinter is already focused on what’s next. “It’s gone and passed. I can’t look back,” Thompson said. The silver medalist further added, “I’ve just got to accept it and move on. It’s forward moving from here.”

His breakthrough in Paris, just 0.005 seconds shy of gold, and that photo finish wasn’t just a surprise to the global audience. For Thompson, it marked a defining leap. He capped the season with a world-leading 9.77-second sprint at the Jamaican Championships and views the Olympic silver not as a pinnacle, but as “a big stepping stone.”

As he puts it, “It has a lot to do with my progress to being a better person and a better athlete.” Under the watchful eye of Stephen Francis at Kingston’s MVP Track Club, Kishane Thompson has added indoor races to his early-season routine, testing his speed and sharpening his mindset. Even with a clean bill of health and a strong winter block behind him, Thompson dismisses the idea of perfection.

“It’s not perfect; the only perfection that I can see is me improving,” he said. Kishane added, “If it’s perfect, you don’t have any room for improvement.” With no obsession over record times and all eyes locked on Tokyo’s World Championships in September, Thompson’s mission is clear: race smarter, race stronger, and rewrite his limits.

Thompson stated, “Japan is the goal where everyone is going for the goal, you know? So that’s the aim.” Thus, with eyes set on Tokyo, Kishane Thompson is chasing progress, not perfection.