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Seville pours defeat on Lyles in rainy Lausanne
August 21, 2025
Jamaica's Oblique Seville continued to pour his dominance over the United States' Noah Lyles, romping to another impressive victory in heavy rainfall at yesterday's Wanda Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Seville powered to 9.87 seconds in the men's 100m, which apart from the downpour was executed against a negative wind of 0.6 metres per second.
Bent on avenging his earlier loss to Seville at the London Diamond League -- and coming off another defeat to Jamaican Kishane Thompson at last Friday's Silesia meet in Poland -- a fired-up Lyles was visibly determined at the start as he sought redemption.
That, however, was not to be. With his trademark explosive start out of the blocks, Seville stamped his authority early and cruised to a commanding win.
Seville was beaming with pride after his performance.
"Running 9.87 in those conditions shows I can go much faster anywhere in the world. Today was a good time, and beating the Olympic champion twice -- in London and now here -- gives me a lot of confidence heading into a Championships," he said.
The young sprinter made it clear that his sights are set on global glory.
"It's been a while since a Jamaican male has won the 100m at a global Championships, and I believe I can be the one to do it. My coach inspires me a lot -- even the small tips he gives make a big difference," he added.
Lyles, who was left for dead at the start, had to play catch-up and just managed to edge Jamaica's Ackeem Blake for second. Both were credited with 10.02, but Lyles was given the nod over Blake, who finished third.
"I just had a really bad reaction to the gun.," the American admitted. "After that there's really nothing I could do.
"I tried to get the most out of my top-end speed today, while still not completely panicking. How well I did, I'll just have to go back and see what coach thinks about that."
Asked about the conditions, Lyles said: "We've all got to run in the same thing. Not because it's bad conditions it doesn't mean fast times can't be run in it."
Blake, meanwhile, was pleased with his effort.
"Given the conditions, I just focused on executing my race. I'm proud of the time I ran today, and this is good preparation ahead of the World Championships," he said, after his best showing since the Jamaica National Championships.
It was a mixed day otherwise for the Jamaicans. Long jumper Tajay Gayle was the only other to finish in the top three, leaping 7.71 metres on his third attempt, to secure third place, as most competitors struggled in the wet conditions.
Carey McLeod finished fourth with 7.67m, while Wayne Pinnock was fifth at 7.61m. The event was won by Uzbekistan's Anver Anvarou with 7.84m, while Switzerland's Simon Ehammer took second at 7.72m.
For the third straight meet, sprint hurdler Ackera Nugent missed out on a podium finish, placing fourth in the women's 100m hurdles in 12.54 seconds. National champion Megan Tapper had to settle for eighth in 13.06.
The race went to the Netherlands' Nadine Visser, who rebounded strongly after her mishap in Silesia to clock 12.45 seconds. She held off Olympic champion and world leader Masai Russell of the United States (12.53), with home town athlete Ditaji Kambundji third in 12.57.
In the men's shot put, Jamaica's Rajindra Campbell could only manage eighth with a throw of 21.00m. The United States' Joe Kovacs, who failed to make the top three at his national championships, bounced back in style to win the event with 22.04m.
