It might not have been the start to the season he wanted, but 100m sprinter Oblique Seville can now assess how much more work is needed if he is to get on the medal podium at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, this September.

Seville was given a hero’s welcome by fans when he was announced for the 100m sprint at Grand Slam Track (GST) at the National Stadium on Friday and again when he took to the blocks for the 200m last night. He completed his first 100m race of the year in 10.08 seconds, in second just behind the USA’s Kenny Bednarek (10.07s). He was, however, fifth in the 200m, clocking 20.43 seconds.

But he thought the performances were lacking.

“I’m not pleased with the performance, but it’s very early in the season,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “You guys have to understand that the [World Championships] is way ahead, all the way in September. I’m not really worried, but it was a good run. Honestly, there’s more to come because I have more races to run, so I’m not beating up myself.”

Seville, 24, has been on the World Athletics Championships podium before, helping Jamaica to the bronze in the 4x100m in Budapest, Hungary, two years ago. He followed that up with an appearance in the Olympic final in Paris, France, last year. However, he had the performance of his life in the previous round, clocking a personal best 9.81s. He knows he can run much faster but says his body needs to be in peak shape.

“I’m not in the best of shape, but it’s April, and we have many months to go,” he said after the 100m. “Knowing that my training has been progressing, I’m still in good shape, and it’s not that bad — 10.08 is not really bad in a negative wind.”

Seville showed humility in acknowledging that losses are a part of athletics and credited his performance against what he considered a quality field.

“It was a stacked field, and I didn’t really lose by much,” he said. “Just have to understand that an L [loss] is an L, so I have to just do better next time.”

However, while acknowledging that the 200m is not his favourite event, he thinks he can improve.

“I think I can do much much better, but I think this is one of my hardest competitions throughout my career, apart from the World Championships and the Olympics,” he said. “This actually helped to build my confidence and to improve as the season progresses.”

When comparing his fitness now to where he was this time last year, Seville says he is “way ahead” in terms of strength but is taking it step by step. He knows he will deliver when the time comes to run fast times.

He says his next outing is the Miami leg of GST on the weekend of May 2-4