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This past Sunday, Oblique Seville made history by emerging as the first athlete from Jamaica to claim the 100-meter dash global championship since the legendary Usain Bolt. However, it turns out his mind is just as sharp as his blistering speed on the track.

Designing the Ideal Sprinter

When asked about how he would design the perfect sprinter, the champion did not hesitate. Rather than listing attributes from multiple athletes, his answer was swift and clear: “Bolt.”

“No one has ever matched a runner such as him,” admitted Seville. “However I would take his closing phase of the race and my acceleration. Then you would create the perfect sprinter.”

Differing Views on Current Athletes

Yet, Seville does not share his hero’s view on one important topic. Earlier this week, the retired champion claimed that the present era of sprinters does not possess the talent to achieve the 100m in 9.6 seconds.

Seville, who ran a personal best of 9.77 seconds, had a different opinion.

“I believe it’s only a matter of time before someone runs 9.6 seconds,” he commented. “It’s not that we are distant in this generation. We need time. Because you have to understand it was the identical in the past.

“Nobody was running 9.6 until Usain Bolt made history in Beijing. So it’s up to us today, as a new generation, to match that standard. To prove that we can achieve the same thing that Usain did.”

Different Profiles, Shared Coach

Both island-born athletes are vastly more distinct in build. Bolt measured 6ft 5in and tipped the scales at around 14 stone, while Seville is under 170cm and just 11st 6lb.

The new champion also shared about his faith, saying he gets ready for competitions by reading the scriptures, which provides him “great peace of mind.” Bolt, by contrast, was known for a very alternative routine.

But the two athletes share the same coach: Glen Mills. It was, Mills consistently believed that his protégé could emulate Bolt and become the quickest man on Earth.

“I realised I was quick when I was six,” said Seville. “I competed against kids larger than me and I was extremely competitive. So I showed it early on.

“When I started training under my coach, he said it would require a few years to get to the winner’s circle. And whatever he says comes true. His words manifested for me and here I am as a world champion.”

Psychological Strength and Focus

After Bolt stepped away in 2017, the crown of global fastest man has changed hands multiple times. Now, Seville hopes to retain it.

However, he acknowledges that staying at the peak is not easy.

“I possess the mindset. But setbacks are part of the sport,” he stated. “And due to my height and size, I cannot make even one mistake. I have to ensure everything I do is on point.”

This identical fortitude helped him brush off psychological tactics from rivals ahead of the final.

“That didn’t affect me,” Seville remarked. “Since over the time, I realised that Lyles is going to be himself. And he’s will talk.

“I appreciate that. It adds excitement for the sport. Perhaps it affect on some athletes, but not me. I arrived to the global event for one purpose: to take the gold.”

Clearly, he succeeded.