ENLIGHTENED by his own challenges with setbacks throughout his young career, ever-improving sprinting star Oblique Seville says he will be paying careful attention to injury prevention and management this season, underlining his confidence that a healthy campaign will deliver fast times for him.

Coached by the legendary Glen Mills at Racers Track Club, the 22-year-old is no stranger to injury concerns, with leg issues affecting his preparation in previous seasons.

Seville opened his 2024 season in fine style at the Camperdown Classics last Saturday, clocking a new personal best of 47.44 seconds to win his heat in the men’s 400m at the National Stadium and signalling improved strength and speed endurance already at this stage of the campaign.

His time was the fifth fastest overall in the event, placing him behind the victor Roshawn Clarke who clocked 46.05 to win his heat.

Encouraged by his effort in the one-lap event Seville, who finished fourth in the final of the men’s 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last year, told the
Jamaica Observer that, along with his coach, he has been working hard to ensure that he carefully manages his injuries and remains fit and healthy throughout the season.

“It is part of my preparation because the last time I ran a 400-metre race was in 2022, and last year I didn’t get the chance to run one. So, it is a good feeling to know that I came out here and ran a personal best in the event,” said Seville.

“The 400 metres will help me in the 100 metres because I have been lacking in some strength work due to the injuries I have been going through for the past couple of years. I didn’t get the chance to try to get some strength done so this is the time for me — and it is a good feeling to come out here and compete in the 400 metres,” said Seville.

Seville, who has a personal best time of 9.86 seconds, was the second-fastest Jamaican in the world last year behind Kishane Thompson from MVP Track and Field Club, with a time of 9.85. His Racers teammate Zharnel Hughes, from Great Britain, was the fastest man in the world in 2023 with a time of 9.83.

However, the young Jamaican is certain that once he is able to stay injury-free this season he will again be among the fastest athletes in the world this year.

“My training has been going well and my aim for the season is to stay healthy,” he said. “The ups and downs are always going to be there and it is just how you manage it, which is injury management. So far, for the past couple of years I have been managing it but this year it is a lot more serious for me,” Seville asserted.

“Everyone has their expectations of you but you can’t let that pressure you; it is just for you to go out there and do your best at all times,” added Seville who also pointed out that he is looking to lower his personal best this season.

“I can run a lot faster this year — because I know that I have the ability — so it is just for me to stay injury-free throughout the season and [then] good things will happen,” Seville stated.