‘Just to Make That Clear’ – Oblique Seville Dismisses Noah Lyles’ Mind Games After Historic World Title

‘Just to Make That Clear’ – Oblique Seville Dismisses Noah Lyles’ Mind Games After Historic World Title

 

 

 

 

In the high-octane world of track and field, psychological warfare is often as intense as the competition on the track. But Jamaican sprint sensation Oblique Seville isn’t playing into the mind games—not even from world-renowned sprinter Noah Lyles.

Following his electrifying performance that secured him his first World Championship gold in the 100 meters, Seville made it crystal clear in his post-race interview that he wasn’t rattled by any pre-race talk from the American star.

“Just to make that clear—none of that talk affected me,” Seville said calmly but firmly, addressing comments and perceived jabs made by Lyles in the lead-up to the final. “I came here to run my race, stay focused, and do what I’ve trained to do. That’s all.”

The tension had been quietly building before the final. Lyles, never one to shy away from bold statements, had confidently spoken about his chances of sweeping both the 100m and 200m titles—something only the greatest have achieved. His public declarations, social media posts, and on-camera charisma were widely seen as psychological strategies aimed at unsettling rivals.

But Seville wasn’t biting.

The 23-year-old Jamaican, often reserved compared to the flamboyant Lyles, let his legs do the talking in a blistering 9.86 seconds, clinching Jamaica’s first world 100m title since Yohan Blake in 2011. The victory not only cemented Seville’s arrival on the global sprinting stage but also sent a clear message: he’s not here to be part of someone else’s narrative.

“I respect all my competitors,” Seville said. “But I don’t get caught up in mind games. My focus is on execution, not conversation.”

Lyles, who finished third behind Seville and surprise silver medalist Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, was gracious in defeat but noticeably quieter than usual post-race. In a brief comment, he acknowledged the level of competition: “It’s a tough field. Everyone came ready.”

The Jamaican sprinting community erupted in celebration after Seville’s win, hailing him as the next big thing in a proud lineage that includes Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, and Yohan Blake. His coach, Glen Mills, praised Seville’s composure, saying, “He didn’t let anything shake him. That’s the hallmark of a true champion.”

The media buzz surrounding the final has only amplified the rivalry between Seville and Lyles. While Lyles has dominated the 200m in recent years, Seville’s emergence in the 100m may force a new narrative—one that features fewer monologues and more photo finishes.

As for Seville, his message was simple, direct, and unmistakably confident: “I came here to win. I did that. Everything else is just noise.”

With Paris 2024 around the corner, track fans can expect this rivalry to only heat up further—but if Seville has made anything clear, it’s that he’ll be running his own race, on his own terms.