TOKYO, Japan — He was the last Jamaican man to stand atop a sprint podium at an international championship, but Usain Bolt is banking on an end to a near-decade of drought, after backing compatriots Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville to dominate the 100m at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships.

In fact, Bolt, who was speaking at a Puma event in Tokyo on Thursday, says he is excited to see the event and expects the Jamaican pair to confirm their impressive form this season with a one-two finish in the final.

“I am definitely looking forward to the men’s 100m. Kishane and Oblique have definitely shown this season that they are doing extremely well and I’m happy to see their execution so far,” said Bolt, whose men’s 100m triumph at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was the last by a Jamaican in the event at a global championship.

“They should be one-two because they have proven throughout the season that they are at the top and they are running fast times, so it’s just about execution and I’m looking forward to going into the stadium and, hopefully, I will be able to present the gold medal to one of them,” Bolt added.

Thompson, who won silver at the Olympic Games last year, in what was his first championship, has the fastest time in the world this year after clocking a personal best 9.75 seconds at the National Senior Championships in June. Seville’s 9.83 seconds, done at the same championship, ranks him as the fifth-fastest man this year but he will be the fourth-fastest in Tokyo due to the absence of countryman and the third-fastest in the world, Bryan Levell (9.82), from the event.

Ackeem Blake, the other Jamaican representative in the 100m, enters the championship with a 9.88 seconds season’s best, which puts him at number 11 in the world and number eight at the championship.

Americans Kenny Bednarek, who lowered his PB to 9.79 this year and Noah Lyles, despite only going 9.90 so far this season are seen as the main threats in the anticipated classic Jamaica vs USA sprint showdown.

“I think we have a very good chance this year but it’s all about if they can execute and hold their heads, just not listen to the noise and just go out there and execute. There is no reason why they can’t be in the top two because they are in the top fastest times this year and they have been competing and doing well so it’s just about going out there and executing and they should be fine and I am very confident that they can get it done,” Bolt assessed.

The iconic sprinter is making his first appearance at a championship since his retirement in 2017 and is relishing the opportunity to, this time, enjoy the sport he gave so much to on the track from the stands, as Jamaica’s biggest cheerleader. He, however, is not anticipating a stress-free experience.

“It’s my first championships when I will just be able to sit and watch, see the energy and the vibe and see the athletes and competition. I have never seen it from this angle so it’s something I look forward to,” said Bolt.

“But I think it’s more stressful for me watching my fellow Jamaicans run than actually competing myself. I have noticed that by watching Shelly-Ann [Fraser-Pryce] and all the guys competing, I am always so nervous and it’s weird to me because when I am on the track I am not nervous, so I think it might actually be worse just watching from the stands.”

On the topic of fellow legend Fraser-Pryce, who will join him in the retirement crew after her Tokyo swansong, Bolt hailed the sprinter’s impact, pointing out that he is happy to see her end her career on her terms.

“When it comes to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, she has been so great. We came up together and won Olympics and World Championship titles. She has been great for our sport in general. I told her and I have spoken highly of her, and I will continue … I see she is retiring this year and I am just happy to see her out there enjoying herself and making her country proud,” said Bolt.

Jamaica is the second-most successful country in the men’s 100m at the World Championships with 10 medals including 4 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze. The USA has won 29 medals in the event, 12 gold, 11 silver and 6 bronze.

Oblique Seville Photo: Observer file

Kishane Thompson Photo: Observer file