Oblique Seville sets world-leading time to beat Noah Lyles in the 100m at Kingston (2024)

KINGSTON – Jamaica’s Oblique Seville ran the fastest 100 metres in the world in 2024, 9.82 seconds, to defeat reigning world champion Noah Lyles on June 1 at the Racers Grand Prix meet.

The 23-year-old shocked himself with the effort to break his prior personal best of 9.86sec and dominate American star Lyles, who crossed the line next in 9.85sec, just off his best of 9.83sec.

“I feel good,” Seville said. “I’m a little surprised.

“It’s special to be able to run so fast without too much specific work. It shows that I can still do better.”

Lyles added: “I’m seeing everybody else in the world, and you know me. Oblique is leading the world right now by leaps and bounds.”

The Jamaican is coached by Glen Mills, former mentor of legend Usain Bolt, for whom Jamaica has been looking for an heir since his 2017 retirement.

Seville showed some promise during the last major championships – fourth in the 4x100m relay at the Tokyo Olympics and in the 100m at the world championships in 2022 and 2023, as well as third in the 4x100m a year back.

On June 1, he managed to tame Lyles, to whom he gave a defiant look at the line.

Lyles won titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in the 2023 world championships in Budapest and is considered a firm favourite for the Paris Olympics.

The 26-year-old said after the race in Kingston: “I was satisfied with the performance. I was disappointed in the gunmen.

“Half of us weren’t even set before the gun went off... that’s very disappointing to see.”

St Lucia athlete Julien Alfred, 22, also achieved her season-best time in the women’s 100m in 10.78sec. Jamaicans Krystal Sloley and Sashalee Forbes came second and third respectively.

The 60m indoor world champion showed her ability to contend for gold in France.

“I wanted to come out here and just work on execution. I didn’t expect that time and that’s why I was smiling so much,” she said.

Jamaican 19-year-old Jaydon Hibbert, the junior world record holder, soared 17.75m to win the triple jump to establish a world best for the season.

World 60m hurdles indoor champion Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas won the 100m hurdles in 12.64sec and American Trey Cunningham took the 110m hurdles in 13.12sec. AFP