Oblique Seville Domina in 100 Meters in Lausanne: Second Defeat for Noah Lyles

The 2025 Lausanne Diamond League delivered an extraordinary show on the tracks of Stade Olympique de la Pontaise on Wednesday, August 20. Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville achieved an impressive victory in the men’s 100 meters, confirming his role as a top contender this season and handing Olympic champion Noah Lyles his second consecutive defeat in the same event.

Seville’s Outstanding Performance on the Wet Track

Despite adverse weather conditions and a still damp track, Oblique Seville clocked 9.87 seconds with a headwind of -0.3 m/s, demonstrating exceptional technical strength. The 24-year-old’s lightning-fast start allowed him to control the race from the first meter, leaving his opponents chasing throughout the competition. After the race, Seville confidently commented: “Running 9.87 in these conditions shows I can do much better. This time is a good indicator of my true potential in more favorable situations.”

The victory comes just weeks after his triumph in London, where Seville recorded a time of 9.86 seconds, highlighting consistent top-level performances. Each subsequent performance further cements the Caribbean sprinter’s dominance in the global sprint category.

Noah Lyles and the Challenging Path to Redemption

For Noah Lyles, the Lausanne race represents another disappointment in a season that has not met initial expectations. The world champion finished second with 10.02 seconds, openly admitting that he suffered from “a terrible reaction to the gunshot” which penalized him in the crucial first moments. After a compromised start, Lyles managed to recover ground and crossed the finish line in a tight photo finish ahead of his Jamaican teammate Ackeem Blake.

For the 28-year-old American, this marks the second setback inflicted by Seville in 2025, adding frustration to an already complicated campaign. Lyles had to deal with a tendon injury that kept him out of competition until July, forcing a gradual and controlled return. “I really wanted to get back in shape immediately, but it was necessary to take a cautious approach to avoid setbacks,” the sprinter explained at the pre-race press conference in Lausanne. The limited number of races—only four 100-meter events throughout the season—has impacted his ability to find the ideal rhythm.

The Rising Rivalry: What to Expect in Future Battles

Looking ahead, Oblique Seville emerges as Lyles’ main rival in upcoming events. The Diamond League final in Zurich will be a crucial opportunity for both before the World Championships in Tokyo, where Lyles will have the chance to defend his titles.

However, the competitive landscape becomes even more complex for Lyles. Besides the threat posed by Seville, the American champion will have to contend with the rising competitiveness of Kishane Thompson and the challenges from established rivals such as teammate Kenny Bednarek and Olympic champion Letsile Tebo. This convergence of talent makes sprinting a rapidly evolving category, where margins of error are increasingly slim and time differences are measured in hundredths of a second.