In a breathtaking display of speed and resilience that will be etched into Olympic history, 22-year-old American sprinter Jamal Seville stormed to victory in the men’s 100m final at the Tokyo 2025 Olympics, clocking an astonishing personal best of 9.77 seconds.
The electric atmosphere at the newly renovated National Stadium pulsed with energy as Seville edged out Jamaica’s Fred Thompson in second place with 9.82 seconds, while USA’s Noah Lyles – the pre-race favorite – settled for bronze in 9.89 seconds.
Nigeria’s rising star, Tobi Ajayi, delivered a gritty performance to finish sixth in 10.00 seconds, marking the best result for an African athlete in the event since the Sydney Games.
Seville’s triumph was nothing short of a fairy-tale upset. The California native, who only burst onto the international scene last year with a silver at the World Championships, entered the final as a +800 underdog behind Lyles’ dominant form.
But from the crack of the gun, Seville exploded off the blocks, his explosive start – honed through innovative plyometric training under coach Elena Vasquez – propelling him into an early lead.
He maintained his composure through the curve, pumping his arms with laser focus as the crowd’s roar built to a fever pitch.
Crossing the line first, Seville collapsed to his knees in disbelief, tears streaming down his face as he realized he’d not only won gold but shattered his previous best by 0.05 seconds, dipping under the hallowed 9.80 barrier that has defined sprinting elites for decades.
“This is for every kid who ever dreamed too big,” Seville gasped in his post-race interview, his voice cracking with emotion. “I visualized this moment every day – the pain, the glory, all of it.
Tokyo gave me wings.” His time now ranks as the second-fastest in history, just 0.02 seconds shy of Usain Bolt’s 2009 world record of 9.58, and it catapults Seville into the pantheon of sprint legends at an age when many are still finding their stride.
Thompson, the 28-year-old Jamaican powerhouse who anchored his nation’s 4x100m relay to gold in Rio, looked gutted but gracious in silver. “Jamal ran the race of his life,” Thompson said, shaking his head.
“I gave it everything, but today wasn’t my day. Congrats to the kid – he’s the future.” Lyles, who had been unbeaten in the 100m since 2023 and was gunning for his first Olympic gold in the event, admitted to a sluggish start that cost him dearly.
For Ajayi, the 24-year-old from Lagos, sixth place was a monumental achievement that silenced doubters back home. Overcoming a hamstring tweak in the semifinals, the Nigerian – who trains in the UK under mentor Divine Oduduru powered through the field with raw determination.
“This is for Nigeria, for Africa,” Ajayi declared, draped in his nation’s flag. “We showed we belong at the top. Sixth today, but the hunger for more is real.” His finish highlights the continent’s deepening sprint talent pool, bolstered by increased investment in grassroots programs since the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The race itself was a masterclass in modern athletics, with cutting-edge technology playing a starring role. Wind conditions were ideal at +1.9 m/s, just under the legal limit, and the track’s newly resurfaced Mondo surface – designed for reduced energy loss – contributed to the blistering times across the board. False starts were absent, thanks to enhanced reaction-time monitoring, allowing the eight finalists to unleash their full potential. Notably, the field was the most diverse in Olympic history, with sprinters from five continents, underscoring the global evolution of the sport post-Bolt era.
As the sun set over Tokyo, the stadium echoed with chants of “Se-ville! Se-ville!” a fitting coda to one of the most unforgettable moments in Olympic lore. The torch passes to the next generation, but for now, the sprint world bows to a new king. Usain Bolt was hyped adn showed his happiness and Gold and Silver returned to Jamaica.
