Glen Mills tells the world to watch out

FOLLOWING HIS outstanding performances this season Glen Mills, coach of rising Jamaican sprint star Oblique Seville, said there is no pressure on the shoulders of his charge to deliver next season, as he aims to become the world’s top 100-metre sprinter.

Seville had a superb season, breaking the 10-second barrier for the first time and setting an impressive 9.86-second personal best. He would go on to finish fourth in the final of men’s 100 at his first appearance at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in July.

In fact, Seville’s time is the second fastest by a Jamaican this season behind Yohan Blake’s 9.85, and the fifth fastest time in the world this year. American Fred Kerley’s 9.79 is the quickest.

“His performances this year puts him in the top four and among the very best in the world,” said Mills.

“Yes, he would be expected next year to compete and to do well at the highest level,” he said.

“As to it being a burden on his shoulders, I would say ‘no’, it is normal progression,” Mills said.

“If you are moving from B Class to A Class, you expect that you are going to be performing at A Class level and that is what you work for, and so it shouldn’t be a burden. In fact, to be there should be a relief,” he stated.

“How well he does will be measured by how well he performs, how well he executes among the very best, of which, he is one of them.”

Seville, a former Holmwood Technical and Calabar standout, who hails from the parish of St Thomas, has not competed since his fourth-place finish at the World Championships.

Mills, who is the former coach of Usain Bolt, world record holder in the 100m and 200m, said Seville was shutting down the season. He is on holiday.

Starting preparations

“No, he won’t be competing in any of the Diamond League races because his season is finished and he is looking forward to starting preparations for next season in September,” he said.

The veteran coach who guided Yohan Blake to the world 100m title in 2011 pointed out that Seville could have run a lot faster in the final of the men’s 100m at the World Championships but the lack of experience got the better of him.

“I am pleased with the final outcome in terms of where he reached, where he is coming from, but I would be honest and say I am not totally satisfied,” Mills said. “I think that maybe, lack of exposure and experience let him down,” he said.

“I don’t think he runs his best race when it matters most, but I think it is something that we can fix, and will fix,” Mills reasoned.

robert.bailey@gleanerjm.com