“When I win at the World Championship, everyone can see what they want to see. Because I know for sure I’m going to win,” Oblique Seville confidently told reporters in the mixed zone at London Stadium on July 19. And honestly? He’s got every reason to talk big right now. With just over a month to go before the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, the 24-year-old Jamaican sprinter sent a clear message—beating Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic and World champ, in the men’s 100m. Sure, it was Noah’s season opener in the event, but for Seville, it marked win number three over Lyles since the 2024 Racers Grand Prix.
But this isn’t just a one-man story. There’s more to this sprint saga than just Seville vs. Lyles. Other names, other races, and a growing shift in the sprinting scene are all part of the mix.
Let’s rewind to June 27 real quick. The men’s 100m final at the JAAA Senior Championships went off—and Kishane Thompson absolutely lit up the track. He clocked a jaw-dropping 9.75 seconds at Kingston’s National Stadium. That’s not just fast—it’s the sixth-fastest time ever in the event and the world-leading mark this season. The last time anyone ran that quick? Justin Gatlin, way back on June 4, 2015. Now, add Oblique Seville into the mix—he chased Kishane home with a blazing 9.83 in that same race. And just when things couldn’t get crazier, Bryan Levell threw down a 9.82 at the Raiffeisen Austrian Open on July 23. So what’s the deal with all these insane times? Well, they’re not just numbers—they’re signals. Something’s clearly shifting in men’s sprinting, and Jamaica’s young guns are right at the heart of it.
So here’s the fun part—on July 25, World Athletics’ X-handle dropped a post that got track fans buzzing. They highlighted the top three men’s 100m times of the season, and guess what? All three are from Jamaica. Kishane Thompson (9.75), Bryan Levell (9.82), and Oblique Seville (9.83). Straight Jamaican dominance. The post came with the hype caption: “JAMAICA TO THE WORLD The men’s 100m in 2025 has 3 Jamaicans on top Who’s stopping them at @WATokyo25?” But here’s what had people talking—Noah Lyles’ name was nowhere in sight. And honestly? That’s probably not a coincidence. He’s not in that top 3 list right now, and in sprinting, numbers speak louder than names. So, is he being left out because his times haven’t matched up yet this season? Pretty likely. In this game, you’ve got to earn your spot in the spotlight—and right now, Jamaica’s stealing the entire show.
JAMAICA TO THE WORLD
The men’s 100m in 2025 has 3 Jamaicans on top
Who’s stopping them at @WATokyo25?
1⃣ Kishane Thompson 9.75
2⃣ Bryan Levell 9.82
3⃣ Oblique Seville 9.83#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/F8J0ViCMls
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 25, 2025
What makes all this even juicier is the full top-10 list in the men’s 100m this season. Only two Americans are on it—Trayvon Bromell sitting in fourth, and Kenny Bednarek in sixth. The rest? Mostly Jamaicans, running wild and fast. So yes, it’s got people asking the big question: Is the American sprint reign slipping, just in time for the Tokyo Worlds? A lot of track fans seem to think so. And let’s be real—the blow hits even harder for Noah Lyles, especially since he’s the reigning world champ in the 100m. But right now? He’s not even cracking the season’s top tier. Fans definitely noticed. One even threw shade in the comments, posting: “Who was that American athlete who wanted to be on top again???”
No doubt about it—that fan comment was aimed straight at Noah Lyles. The six-time world champ made it clear earlier this season: he wanted to win everything. But right now? He’s kind of on the back foot. Even Justin Gatlin—yep, the four-time world champ—had a few things to say about Noah’s game plan this year. On his podcast, Gatlin kept it real, saying: “I commend him [Noah Lyles] on the fact that he knows he’s not the most superior runner when it comes to 100-meter foot speed.” Oof. That’s a polite way of saying Noah’s got work to do in the straightaway. Now, not making it onto the top 10 list? That’s just added fuel. But to be fair, Lyles isn’t panicking. After getting edged out at the London Diamond League, the 28-year-old kept his cool: “I didn’t get it this time. But the important thing was not to panic, to make sure that I hit all my positions regardless of him being out there and saying, ‘No matter what, I can still hold my head in a high-pressure situation.’”
Let’s not forget—Noah Lyles’ 10.00 seconds at the London Diamond League was actually his fastest ever season-opening 100m, and he came into that race still getting back into form after an injury. So while it wasn’t a win, it wasn’t a disaster either. That said, there’s no ignoring the bigger picture: for the first time since 2012, three Jamaicans now hold spots in the top four of the world-leading men’s 100m list. And fans? They’re loving it—celebrating the return of Jamaican firepower in the sprints with full energy.
Noah Lyles and compatriots have a forgettable day
Some fans aren’t holding back—especially after seeing Noah Lyles and his fellow Americans missing from the top three of the 100m list. One blunt comment read: “Good for the world. I can’t stand those cocky Americans.” A not-so-subtle jab at Team USA’s sprint crew. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Kishane Thompson has topped the world list—he did it last year too. But back then, Noah Lyles’ Olympic gold stole the spotlight and undercut the Jamaican buzz. This season though? The energy is different. The Jamaicans are not just running fast—they’re owning the moment. One fan perfectly captured the shift in tone, writing: “Not so long ago we were complaining that our male sprinting was in the dumps… situations change.”
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 100m Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 04, 2024. Noah Lyles of United States and Kishane Thompson of Jamaica await the result before Lyles is announced as the winner of the gold REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
And those situations, according to many, might keep changing in Jamaica’s favor—all the way to LA 2028. “Again. Do not be surprised in LA 2028,” another fan warned. “And Netflix, make sure you get ready to make another film when that happens.” That was a clear shot at the Sprint docuseries, which focused heavily on Lyles and his road to Paris. But now, fans are saying it’s time for the cameras to turn to Jamaica—because if this keeps up, history might be written in green, gold, and black come 2028. And in a surprising twist, amid all the jabs and rivalry, one fan left a comment that might just hint at a new vibe: “I know you guys love to see us coming.” A little boast? Definitely. But maybe—just maybe—also a sign that this iconic US-Jamaica sprint rivalry is shifting from fierce to fun. Still competitive, but with a wink and a nod. Let the fireworks continue.
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