Seville delivers in style for world 100 metres gold

TOKYO : Oblique Seville scorched to the world 100 metres gold in a personal best 9.77 seconds on Sunday, leading a Jamaican 1-2 ahead of Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson, second again in 9.82.

Defending champion Noah Lyles took bronze in a season's best 9.89 as the United States failed to take the title for the first time since 2015 when Usain Bolt won the last of his titles.

The sport's biggest superstar was in the stands in Tokyo - the first time since he retired in 2017 - to roar home his compatriots, though he had predicted a Thompson victory earlier in the day.

Seville had looked the man to beat through the rounds in last year's Olympics but finished last in the final. This year he almost had a disaster in the heats, recovering from a dire start, but was back to full sharpness in the semis on a humid Sunday evening.

He got another flier in the final and had clear air around him when he crossed the line.

Thompson, beaten by five thousandths of a second by Lyles in the Olympic final, had to settle for silver again, having come to Tokyo with the fastest time by anyone for 10 years - 9.75.

Seville's 9.77 takes him into a share of 10th on the all-time list.

"It’s an excellent feeling," he said. "The last time a Jamaican got a world gold was in 2016 (Rio Olympics) and that was Usain Bolt so I am really happy knowing that I actually got the gold medal and I have proved myself that I am a true competitor and I showed my resilience and my fight and determination.

"It is a tremendous feeling. I know my talent and trust in myself. Last year I was injured for the final so this time I've proved myself.

"Everyone was saying in the first round that I am panicking, but I know what I am going through in that moment and I just