Tokyo witnessed a night of electrifying athletics on Sunday as two new 100m world champions emerged in front of a sold-out crowd at Japan National Stadium, with sprint legend Usain Bolt watching from the stands. Jamaica’s 21-year-old Oblique Seville delivered a personal best of 9.77 seconds to claim gold, leading a historic double podium for his country alongside silver medalist Thompson, who clocked 9.82. Defending champion Noah Lyles of the USA secured bronze with a season-best 9.89, marking a race that will go down in sprint history. For Seville, the youngest-ever 100m world champion, the victory carried personal significance. “To come out here and run a 9.77 is something amazing, and in Japan is where I made my debut; to get a medal is something great for me,” he said. The triumph made him only the third Jamaican sprinter to win the title, adding to his nation’s rich sprinting legacy.
Also Check: Wasim Akram Urges Pakistan, India to Focus on Cricket Ahead of Asia Cup Clash
In the women’s 100m final, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States cemented her status as the world’s best sprinter by running a championship record and remaining unbeaten for the entire season. She claimed gold ahead of Jamaica’s Tina Clayton, who shocked the field with a 10.76 personal best for silver, while Olympic champion Julien Alfred secured bronze in 10.84. Jefferson-Wooden, just 24, expressed sheer delight: “This year has been nothing short of a dream. To put on the perfect race at the perfect time, I’m just so happy and grateful.” For Clayton, her silver medal exceeded all expectations. “The goal was to execute. Silver was not in my thoughts, but God did so, and I’m grateful,” she admitted with humility that contrasted her dominant on-track performance.
The American women’s success did not end there. Olympic champions Tara Davis-Woodhall and Valarie Allman added world titles in the long jump and discus throw, respectively, contributing to the USA’s gold rush. Meanwhile, the men’s 10,000m produced one of the night’s biggest surprises as France’s Jimmy Gressier surged past Ethiopia’s Yomif Keljecha in the final metres to take gold. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren added to the European success with bronze, marking a rare break in East African dominance.
There was heartbreak in the men’s 1500m as Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a favourite for gold, failed to advance from the heats due to injury. The reigning world champion later addressed fans on Instagram, acknowledging his setback but vowing to return stronger. With the 5,000m heats coinciding with his 25th birthday, he could still script a remarkable comeback.
In another milestone, Uruguay celebrated their first medal of the competition when Julia Paternain claimed bronze, unaware at first of her achievement. The drama of the women’s 100m began earlier in the semifinals with a shocking false start from reigning champion Sha’Carri Richardson, opening the door for veterans and newcomers alike. Sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a five-time world champion, defied the odds to qualify for the final, reminding fans of her enduring class.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, widely regarded as the queen of middle distance, effortlessly advanced to the 1500m final with a time of 4:00.34, followed closely by compatriot Dorcus Ewoi. Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu suffered a fall in the opening 100m of her semifinal but displayed extraordinary resilience by catching the pack and qualifying with 4:01.03.
With new champions crowned, shocking exits, and historic firsts, the Tokyo World Championships offered a reminder of athletics’ unpredictable drama. From Seville’s record-setting youth to Jefferson-Wooden’s flawless season, the night marked a celebration of resilience, talent, and sporting spirit.
