…Eclipses Nigerian sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi’s world lead
Oblique Seville reaffirmed his status as the man to beat in the men’s 100 metres, blazing to a world-leading 9.82 seconds to claim the title at the 2026 Jamaican Athletics Championships on Friday in Kingston.
The 25-year-old reigning world champion eclipsed Nigerian sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi’s previous world lead of 9.84 seconds, delivering a commanding performance before an enthusiastic home crowd at the National Stadium.
Seville left little doubt about his superiority, powering away from the field in the final metres to secure victory and underline his growing dominance in the sprint event.
While the gold medal appeared destined for the pre-race favourite, the battle for the remaining podium places provided plenty of drama.
Gary Card emerged as the surprise package of the race, storming to second place in a personal-best 9.93 seconds.
The University of Technology, Kingston student edged Ackeem Blake at the finish line in a thrilling contest, boosting his chances of securing a place on Jamaica’s team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Blake, who had finished runner-up in both the preliminary rounds and semi-finals, ensured he remained firmly in contention for Glasgow 2026 selection by clocking a season’s best 9.94 seconds for third place.
Nishion Ebanks finished fourth in 9.99 seconds, making it four Jamaicans under the 10-second barrier in a high-quality final.
Notably absent was reigning national champion Kishane Thompson, whose stunning 9.75-second run at last year’s championships remains one of the fastest times in history.
The reason for Thompson’s absence from this year’s competition has not been disclosed.
For Seville, however, the focus now shifts to building on his latest triumph. The Jamaican sprint star will look to add further honours to his growing résumé as he targets success at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the inaugural World Ultimate Athletics Championships in Budapest later this year.
With another statement performance on home soil, Seville has once again signalled that he is the benchmark in men’s sprinting.
By Maxwell Kumoye
