Jamaican sprint sensation Oblique Seville is proving early in the 2024 season that he’s ready to take on the world’s best. With a blistering 200m personal best and a near-PB in the 100m, the 24-year-old is sending a clear message to his rivals.
A Breakthrough Performance
At the second leg of the Grand Slam Track Series in Miramar, Florida, Seville delivered a career-defining performance. He blazed to a new 200m personal best of 20.13 seconds, shaving 0.04 seconds off his previous mark, and followed it up with a sharp 9.84-second 100m—just shy of his lifetime best (9.81).
“It was a good race. It was preparation for the races I have coming up,” Seville told SportsMax.
“I didn’t come here to run that fast, but I have more work to do.”
This marked a massive improvement from his season opener in Kingston, where he ran 10.08s (100m) and 20.43s (200m). Now, with faster times and growing confidence, Seville is positioning himself as a serious contender ahead of the Jamaican trials and the World Athletics Championships.
Overcoming Obstacles
Seville’s rise hasn’t been without hurdles. A lingering toe injury, dating back to his high school days, has forced him to carefully manage his 200m appearances. The bend-heavy race puts extra strain on his foot, making every decision strategic.
“If I don’t have any issues with my toe, then I can take it on,” he admitted.
“Because of my toe, I have to be mindful of when and where I run the 200m.”
The pain varies but Seville has learned to push through.
“It all depends on the degree of the pain. Sometimes it hurts a lot, but I can push through,” he said.
Taking Aim at Lyles and Tebogo
While the 100m remains his primary focus, Seville knows that mastering the 200m could be the key to toppling sprint kings like Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo. Both rivals have dominated the event recently, but Seville’s latest performances suggest he’s closing the gap.
“To know that I actually came out to this meet and got a personal best in the 200m is pretty good,” he said.
“It’s a big stepping stone for me.”
With a strong support system, including his coach, management, and therapist, Seville believes the best is yet to come.
“If things stay that way, then I expect great things for myself,” he declared.
The 2024 season is still young, but Seville’s early form signals a potential breakthrough. If he stays healthy and continues refining his speed, a showdown with Lyles and Tebogo on the global stage could be inevitable.
For now, Seville remains focused on progress, one step at a time.
