Jamaican sprint sensation Kishane Thompson continued his meteoric rise in the world of athletics with a commanding win in the men’s 100 meters at the 2025 Prefontaine Diamond League Classic in Eugene, Oregon. The 23-year-old stormed to victory in 9.85 seconds, cementing his status as one of the hottest prospects in global sprinting.
Although his time was just shy of the blistering 9.75 seconds he ran at the Jamaican trials in Kingston a week earlier, Thompson’s performance in Eugene was no less impressive. He comfortably outpaced a strong field that included some of the biggest names in the sport.
Britain’s Zharnel Hughes finished second with a sharp 9.91 seconds, showing that he remains a top contender ahead of the World Championships in Paris. Trayvon Bromell, who has been steadily regaining form, followed in third place with a solid 9.95 seconds. Fellow American Brandon Hicklin narrowly missed out on a podium finish, clocking 9.98 seconds and highlighting the remarkable depth in American sprinting.
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake and South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza also delivered competitive performances, recording times of 10.03 and 10.04 seconds respectively. Despite high expectations, former world champion Christian Coleman could only manage seventh place, matching his season-best of 10.06 seconds. Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy ran 10.07 to finish eighth, while Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu rounded off the field in 10.20 seconds.
Thompson’s commanding run sends a powerful message ahead of the World Championships. With back-to-back sub-9.90 performances under his belt, he has firmly established himself as a leading contender in men’s sprinting. His ability to consistently deliver fast times under pressure is drawing comparisons to Jamaican legends like Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake.
More than just another Diamond League victory, this race served as a statement of intent from Thompson. His win not only earned him maximum Diamond League points but also solidified his position atop the sprint leaderboard, boosting Jamaica’s ambitions for a dominant showing this season on the global stage.
With the countdown to Paris underway, all eyes will be on Thompson as he seeks to convert his Diamond League form into championship gold. If his current trajectory is anything to go by, the Jamaican sprint factory may have just unleashed its next global superstar.
