Oblique Seville is a unique sprinter– but will he finally deliver when it matters?

Deji Ogeyingbo wrote this feature on the winner of the London Diamond League, Oblique Seville. Oblique had a great performance at London, and Deji discusses how Oblique Seville is looking prior to the 2025 Tokyo World Championships. 

Oblique Seville is a unique sprinter– but will he finally deliver when it matters

Oblique Seville continues to divide opinions on his ability to deliver when the ovation is loudest. No one doubts the incredible talent he has as a sprinter. After all, he’s training under the great Glen Mills- the man who guided Usain Bolt to unprecedented heights. However, it seems like an antithesis to the Bolt’s ability to show up under the bright lights; it just always doesn’t seem to click for Seville when it matters the most.

Since emerging on the international scene, Seville has shown the ability to run with the elites. His races reveal a sprinter capable of moments that are electric, effortless even. When he finds his rhythm, he moves with a fluid grace that captivates fans and critics alike. Still, there has been a recurring pattern of falling short when the stakes have been highest. This pattern has left track fans wondering if he can convert his potential into consistent major championship success.

The 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest offered a clear example of this. Seville posted a strong time of 9.88 seconds in the final, finishing fourth behind Noah Lyles, who took the win in 9.83. The race was competitive, and Seville was close, but the elusive medal remained out of reach. Just over a year later, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris seemed to offer another chance for Seville to rise to the occasion. During the semifinal, he showed his class by winning his heat in 9.81, edging out Lyles, who finished second in 9.83. An injury hampered his performance in the final, and he finished eighth with a time of 9.91. The Olympic final gave us an inclination of both his potential and the fine margins that separate victory from disappointment.

Seville’s latest performance at the 2025 London Diamond League was, therefore, a welcome sight. Seville claimed a decisive victory over Olympic champion Noah Lyles, clocking a swift 9.86 seconds. He was the only sprinter to break the 10-second barrier on the day. The win was particularly sweet given the star-studded field, which included Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo and…