Wed | Dec 11, 2024

Seville wants place on all-time list

Published:Wednesday | December 11, 2024 | 12:11 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Oblique Seville
Oblique Seville

SPRINT SENSATION Oblique Seville has taken aim at becoming one of the top five fastest men of all time over 100 metres.

“I know that I can be the top five fastest in the world of all-time,” he affirmed.

Seville boasts a personal best of 9.81 seconds which places him 16th on the all-time list, trailing behind a lineup of who’s who led by Usain Bolt (9.58), Yohan Blake (9.69), Tyson Gay (9.69), Asafa Powell (9.72), and Justin Gatlin (9.74).

Seville said he has a lot to improve on before he can achieve his ambitious goal.

“Personally, I know I have a lot of improvements to make because I know I am lacking a lot of strength work compared to other athletes. Running 9.81, knowing my body is not fully developed, shows I have a lot more to improve on, technically, strengthwise and the list goes on.”

Seville is no stranger to being among the elites of track and field, as the 23-year-old has finished within the top 10 global rankings for his third consecutive year.

Having recently signed on as a Racer in the upcoming Grand Slam Track series set to kick off in 2025, Seville said the only credential missing from his career is an individual international medal.

“I want to achieve great things for 2025,” he said.

“I think I had expected to have gotten a medal, so for next season, that is my aim to be in the top three in everything that I am doing.

“If I am able to get fit and up to standards, I know I will have no problems with competing.”

Seville finished fourth in the men’s 100 metres at the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships, and earlier this year, had to settle for eighth in the Paris Olympic Games after finishing the final with an injury.

While disappointed with the results, Seville explained most of his mishaps at the international stage had been the result of injuries.

“For all the time that I have been on the international scene and the World Championships, I can only recall one specific time that I went to perform and it was just because of inexperience and arrogance. All the other times, I had injury concerns,’ he explained.

He is confident once he is able to stay fit and perform at his best, he can secure a spot in the top three in the world and claim an international medal.

“Honestly, I know within myself that if I go into a championship feeling 100 per cent, I cannot lose,” he insisted.

“Once I’m fit, I feel unstoppable. A lot of persons might not know because I don’t talk about it when I’m coming off injuries. My coach will know but not everyone will know, but it is just unfortunate that it has happened in those specific times when the major events are happening.”