Oblique Seville Brings Sprint Glory Back to Jamaica

Oblique Seville ended Jamaica’s decade-long wait for a global men’s 100m title, storming to gold in Tokyo with a personal best of 9.77 seconds. Kishane Thompson followed closely for silver in 9.82, while defending champion Noah Lyles of the USA settled for bronze in 9.89. It marked Jamaica’s first world sprint title since Usain Bolt’s double victory in 2015, with the sprint legend watching from the stands and celebrating the 1–2 finish he had boldly predicted.

Tokyo , Japan – 14 September 2025; Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of United States celerates winning the women’s 100m final during day two of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

In the women’s 100m final, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States delivered a meet-record performance of 10.61 seconds to claim the title. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton clocked a personal best of 10.76 for silver, while Olympic champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia took bronze in 10.84. Jefferson-Wooden had already posted the world’s fastest time of the year (10.65), which she surpassed in Tokyo. Former champion Sha’Carri Richardson finished fifth in 10.94, while veteran Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, in her final major championship appearance, placed sixth in 11.03.

TOKYO, JAPAN – SEPTEMBER 14: Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team United States reacts during the Woman’s Long Jump Final on day two of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 at National Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Tara Davis-Woodhall added a world title to her Olympic gold in the women’s long jump, leaping 7.13m to dominate the field. Valarie Allman, a two-time Olympic champion in discus, finally secured her first world championship gold in the event, completing her international medal set.

In distance events, Jimmy Gressier made history by becoming the first Frenchman to win gold in the men’s 10,000m, edging out Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren in a thrilling finish. Earlier in the day, Kenya’s Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir added the women’s marathon world title to her resume, leading a strong field with a composed and tactical run through Tokyo’s streets.

Results

Men

100m: 1. Oblique Seville (JAM) 9.77, 2. Kishane Thompson (JAM) 9.82, 3. Noah Lyles (USA) 9.89 SB

10,000m: 1. Jimmy Gressier (FRA) 28:55.77, 2. Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 28:55.83, 3. Andreas Almgren (SWE) 28:56.02

Women

100m: 1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) 10.61, 2. Tia Clayton (JAM) 10.76, 3. Julien Alfred (LCA) 10.84

Marathon: 1. Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:21:14, 2. Tigst Assefa (ETH) 2:21:45, 3. Julia Paternain (URU) 2:22:08

Long Jump: 1. Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA) 7.13m WL, 2. Malaika Mihambo (GER) 6.99m, 3. Natalia Linares (COL) 6.92m