Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville has assured fans that there is no cause for alarm despite a nervy start to his 100m campaign at the World Championships in Tokyo. Seville advanced to the semifinals by the narrowest of margins after finishing third in his heat, yet he remains calm and confident about his chances going forward.
Seville clocked 9.93 seconds in his opening race, a performance that he admitted was below his usual standard due to a less-than-ideal reaction at the blocks. Despite the shaky execution, the 23-year-old is not fazed. Instead, he insists that the experience was simply part of the unpredictable nature of sprinting.
“The first round went really fast, but I’m not doubting myself or anyone else,” Seville explained after the race. “It’s about taking things step by step. I know I’m in the semifinal now, and from here I’ll just do my best.”
Staying Composed Under Pressure
For Seville, composure is his biggest weapon. Having endured difficult starts in the past, he knows how to manage races from behind. He believes that setbacks at the blocks do not define the outcome of a race if an athlete has the strength and confidence to recover.
“I’ve had races where I’ve had to run from the back. It’s not all the time that your start will be perfect. Sometimes bad things happen, but you just have to recover from them. I’ve learned from both good and bad experiences, so I know what to do,” he explained.
Learning From Heartbreak
Seville’s journey has not been without its share of disappointment. He has previously entered major championships in strong form, only to fall short when it mattered most. Those heartbreaks, however, have shaped his mindset and built the resilience he now carries into Tokyo.
“Everything has changed this season. My confidence is good, my shape is good, and I feel really strong. I’m not worried,” he said.
Eyes on the Bigger Prize
With the semifinals and final looming, Seville is focused on executing his best race when the stakes are highest. Lined up against world-class talents such as Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson, the Jamaican sees this as his moment to step up and prove that he belongs among the very best.
For Seville, one shaky start is nothing more than a minor bump on the path to potential glory.
