Jamaica supplanted the United States of America as World Champions with a one-two finish in the 100m at the finals of the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan On Sunday.
It was the first time a Jamaican was winning the 100m since Bolt won the event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the winner was Oblique Seville in a personal best of 9.77s, his compatriot, and silver medalist at the Olympics, Kishane Thompson was second in 9.82s, while Olympic Champion, Noah Lyles was third in 9.89s.
The Americans had dominated the event since legendary,Usain Bolt last won it in 2015, and this victory from Seville certainly will rekindle hope of a resurgence of Jamaican sprinting prowess again.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden had won the 100m women in a sensational championship record of 10.61s ahead of compatriot, Tina Clayton in 10.76s and Olympic Champion, Julien Alfred was third in 10.84s.
While the expectation was on both Thompson and Lyles to probably repeat their Olympic heroics, Seville stole the show to underline his much talked about potentials and justify an end to a fantastic season where he has had nothing but enviable performances.
Seville’s time is now among the ten top fastest times over the distance and writes his name in the history of Jamaican athletics
The 23-year-old now gives the Jamaicans hope to face the Americans in the relays where they have also failed to sparkle since the exit of Bolt.
Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi, who made it to the final could only finish 6th in 10.0s, a far cry from his 9.88s in the heats and 9.93s in the semis.
Despite not finishing on the podium, it was a great achievement for Ajayi, who took Nigeria’s name to the final for the first time in 18 years,2007, when Olusoji Fasuba made it to the final and finished 4th in 10.07s,with Tyson Gay as winner in 9.85s.
Ajayi’s final appearance caps a fantastic season for him where he was consistent in running under 10s.
Meanwhile, Olympic 200m Champion, Letsile Tebogo was disqualified in the final to deny the athletics world the opportunity of seeing him challenge for medal in the event.
…Team Nigeria Still Searching
In the meantime, Team Nigeria is still searching for breakthrough at the Championships after Day 2.
Oyesade Olatoye could not make the final of the Hammer event as her throw of 68.82m was not good enough to see her through to the final.
In the 400m, the pair of Samuel Ogazi and Chidi Okezie also failed to make it to the semi finals.
While Ogazi finished 5th in Heat 3 in 45.97s, Okezie finished 8th in 45.66s in Heat 2.
Ogazi, the current NCAA 400m Champion, attributed his performance to injury.
