At the London Diamond League on July 19, 2025, Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville lit up the Olympic Stadium with a sensational performance, clocking 9.86 s over 100 m into a –0.6 m/s headwind—an extraordinary feat under adverse conditions (reuters.com). He surged ahead early, establishing a two‑metre lead within the first 20 m and never looked back (reuters.com). Seville was the only athlete to dip below 10 seconds that day, a clear statement of intent as the major championships approach
The American star Noah Lyles finished second in 10.00 s, marking his fastest season opener ever (reuters.com). Recovering from a minor ankle issue, Lyles launched his competitive season in earnest. “I feel great … it was my fastest-ever season opener,” he said (reuters.com). Though he couldn’t match Seville’s rocket start, Lyles’ late acceleration again highlighted his trademark closing strength.
Botswana’s rising star Letsile Tebogo clocked 10.12 s, finishing seventh in an ultra‑competitive fiel. While off the podium, it’s a respectable start to his season, especially amidst fierce competition. With his 9.88 s personal best, Tebogo remains a major threat as the season unfolds
Reddit fans praised Seville’s launch:
“Absolutely terrible start by Lyles, and absolutely incredible start by Seville.”
“Seville was like a rocket out of the blocks and remained that way for the duration of the race.”
Experts on Flotrack emphasized that Seville not only upset a loaded field—which featured names like Olympic champ Lyles and Akani Simbine—but also ran the lone sub‑10 s time that da
Running 9.86 s into a –0.6 m/s headwind makes Seville’s time even more impressive. Each tenth of wind resistance can cost racers precious hundredths of a second, making his performance all the more remarkable considering drag effects
Seville’s victory positions him at the forefront of the 100 m scene, delivering a statement ahead of world championships this fall. Meanwhile, Lyles’ swift opener—free from injury and with his speed intact—reinforces his position as a top contender across both 100 m and 200 m. Tebogo’s consistent performance hints at further growth as he challenges the sprint elite.
Oblique Seville’s 9.86 into a –0.6 headwind stands as one of the fastest wind-adjusted times in recent memory. As Global athletics heats up, he’s sending a clear message: the sprint crown is firmly within reach. With Lyles pushing his limits and Tebogo hungry for podiums, the road to the world championships just got a lot more exciting
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