‘I’m still the best in the world’ - Oblique Seville races to first national title, promises fireworks at the Ultimate Championships
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Reigning men’s 100m world champion Oblique Seville delivered a strong message to his peers around the world after racing to his first national title on Friday at the National Stadium in a world-leading time of 9.82 seconds.
“I’m the world champion,” Seville declared just after his title-winning race. “And it shows going forward that I’m still the best in the world.”
Seville has been an infrequent figure on the track since his gold medal winning run at the World Athletics Championships last year, having only competed in the 100m twice before the National Championships.
He opened with 10.09 in the preliminaries, before racing to 9.95 in the semi-finals.
Seville was again without peer in the final, crossing the line in 9.82 seconds, ahead of Gary Card who set a new national junior record in 9.93.
Card became the second Jamaican junior athlete to dip below the 10-second barrier while taking down Bouwahjgie Nkrumie’s previous record of 9.99.
Ackeem Blake was just behind to take the final podium position when he finished third in 9.94.
‘VERY IMPORTANT’
Seville said winning the men’s 100m was an important achievement as it is his first national title.
He finished second three times in 2025, 2024, and 2022 while finishing third twice, in 2023 and 2021.
Seville explained winning the national title is also a special achievement because it happens at the National Stadium in front of the Jamaican people.
“I’ve never won a national championship, so this championship means a lot,” Seville said.
“It is very important because you are performing in the National Stadium and this is one of the few moments you get to perform in front of your hometown in your own country. So it means a lot just as the World Championship, even though the World Championship is bigger than the National Championship.”
Seville will now turn his eyes to the international circuit as he plans to compete at the Diamond League before taking on the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
The Ultimate Championship is a new event by World Athletics which is geared towards creating more excitement for the sport.
The track meet will include a streamlined schedule with a limited field of top athletes including the defending Olympic and world champions, as well as Diamond League winners and top-ranked athletes.
Seville said he is ready to bring ‘electrifying performances’ at the Ultimate Championship which is set to be held in Budapest at the National Athletics Centre from September 11-13.
“That was always the plan over the years but it's just that injuries always stepped in the way and not letting me run at the Diamond League. But for each year is always to perform at the Diamond League before going into the championship,” he explained.
“Of course because I'm down for the competition and as I’m selected, I’m so happy to perform at the Ultimate Championship because it's going to be some electrifying performances.”