Rising Jamaican star sprinter Oblique Seville has his sights set on registering his second-straight victory over American Christian Coleman when the two meet in the men's 100 metres showdown at the Racers Grand Prix on June 3 at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Seville, who has been in outstanding form so far this season, is currently the fifth-fastest man in the world this year with a season's best time of 9.94 seconds.
Ferdinand Omanyala from Kenya is currently the fastest man in the world this year with a time of 9.84 seconds.
Seville, 22, who had a breakout season last year, finished fourth in the final of the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon – two places above Coleman in the blue-ribbon event.
The soft-spoken Seville, who is coached by legendary Jamaican Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club, told the Jamaica Observer that he is looking forward to beating Coleman in front of his home fans next Saturday.
He also shared that he will be looking to lower his personal best (PB) time of 9.86 in the race against the American.
"I have a good coach and so it is just for me to go out there and show my class and beat the American Christian Coleman," said Seville.
"It will be a pleasure to compete against him. I competed against him at the World Championships in Eugene, last year, and I actually beat him and so it is just for me to repeat that and to see if I can come out with a personal best as well," he said.
Seville defeated the likes of 2009 100m World Champion Yohan Blake and Nigel Ellis to win the men's 100m in 9.94 at the JAAA's All Comers meet last Saturday at the National Stadium. Meanwhile, Coleman, the 2019 world champion in Doha, clocked a wind-aided (4+4) 9.78 to win the men's 100m at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix on Sunday. The 27-year-old Coleman currently has a personal best 9.76 in the 100m.
Seville has asserted that this performance is excellent preparation for him going into next Saturday's showdown against Coleman. Ackeem Blake, who is the joint second-fastest Jamaican this year, with a time of 9.99, is also down to compete in the 100m race.
"The 9.94 on Saturday actually boosted my confidence going into the Racers Grand Prix. It has helped me with my preparation, and so it is just for me to go out there and execute my race the way I did last Saturday," Seville pointed out.
The former Calabar runner was the second-fastest Jamaican in the world last year with a personal best 9.86 in the 100m, which he achieved at the National Championships at the National Stadium in May.
He added that he has learnt from competing last year and is now fully focused on the task ahead.
"Last year I have seen the mistakes that I have made, and so Coach Mills and I have some plans this season and as to my training and so it is going good for me so far. My strengthen work and everything has also improved a lot this season," Seville said.
"The aim is to run a lot faster than my PB and that is what you train for throughout the season," he ended.
HOUSE RULES
- We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
- Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
- We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
- Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
- Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
- If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
- Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
