Seville delivers on promise to break Silesia’s 100m record Jamaican gearing towards Ultimate Championships; still in shock at passing of Stephen Francis

Oblique Seville made a promise to break the men’s 100m meet record at the Wanda Diamond League’s Kamila Skolimowska Memorial track and field athletics showcase in Silesia, Poland.
True to his word, Jamaica’s ace sprinter delivered on that prediction, producing a commanding performance in the final to win in 9.83 seconds on Sunday.
“The victory feels nice, especially as I am close to my PB (personal best),” remarked Seville. “I am just happy.
“I got the meeting record like I had said at the press conference.
“The atmosphere here is great, and I would love to be back next year, although this is my first time in Poland,” he added.
The previous meet record, 9.87 seconds, was jointly held by Seville’s countryman Kishane Thompson and the United States’ Fred Kerley.
On his way to establishing a new 100m mark at the meet, Seville fought a close battle with American Kenny Bednarek, who clocked 9.87.
Both were virtually inseparable through the first 70 metres before Seville pulled away.
All nine men in the final dipped below 10 seconds, underlining the quality of the field.
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, who ran in the preliminary round, heat two, failed to advance to the final after finishing seventh in 10.26.

Outstanding form

The performance was another indication that Seville, who has a personal best of 9.77 seconds, remains in outstanding form following his 9.82-second world-leading run at Jamaica’s National Championships in June.
“This shows I’m capable of repeating what I had done last year, and to show my dominance in the sport.
“I am in pretty good shape and feeling proud about the win. I am in great shape for the Ultimate Championships,” he acknowledged, of World Athletics’ debut event that will bring together the world’s best athletes in mid-September.
“My main focus is the Ultimate,” he said.
Apart from the Diamond League, the Ultimate Championships represent a major mark for top athletes in 2026.
And in a post-race interview with the BBC’s Ade Adedoyin, he elaborated on the Ultimate Championships and legendary track and field athletics coach, Jamaican Stephen Francis, who passed recently.
“The Ultimate Championships is to prepare us for the World Championships and the Olympics, so it’s a plus for us,” Seville remarked.
Shocked at Stephen Francis’ passing
Asked about Francis, Seville says the sport has lost a genius.
“He has proven himself over the years. No one can take away his genius in the sport; he’s a brilliant guy,” he commented.
“When I heard the news, I wasn’t in Jamaica, and I was shocked. Even now, I’m still in shock that he passed away.
“I know what he has done for many athletes, and it’s so sad. He’s a coach I really respect,” said Seville.
“He and my coach are really good friends; I know he’s taken it very hard. It’s really sad.”

Strong presence

Meanwhile, Jamaica also had a strong presence in the women’s 100m, with Tina Clayton, Tia Clayton and Brianna Lyston lining up against a world-class field that included Olympic champion Julien Alfred, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Sha’Carri Richardson.
World champion Jefferson-Wooden won, equalling her season-best 10.78 seconds. Alfred was second in 10.83, with Richardson third in 10.96.
Lyston was the best placed Jamaican, fourth in 10.96, while Tina Clayton was sixth in 11.01 and Tia Clayton ninth in 11.24.
Female quarter-miler Nickisha Pryce produced the second best Jamaican performance at the meet, finishing second in the women’s 400m in 49.49 seconds. National champion Stacy-Ann Williams was sixth in 49.81.
World leader Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic won in an impressive 48.87, with Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser third in 49.57.
In a non-Diamond League event, Megan Simmonds finished second in the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.62 seconds, while Ackera Nugent was fourth in 12.64 and Danielle Williams fifth in 12.70
Alysha Johnson of the United States won in 12.52.
Following his fourth-place finish two days earlier in Lausanne, World Championships silver medallist Orlando Bennett finished fifth in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.25 seconds.
The United States dominated the event, with world record holder Ja’Kobe Tharp winning in 13.05 seconds to finish ahead of Trey Cunningham, 13.08, and Jamal Britt, third in 13.09.\

Field events

The Jamaicans did not fare well in the field events. Rajindra Campbell was sixth in the men’s shot put with a throw of 21.61m, while Roje Stona was sixth in the men’s discus with 67.65m, and Ralford Mullings seventh with 66.44m.
Akeelah Smith was eighth in the women’s triple jump with 13.97m, while Lamara Distin finished ninth in the women’s high jump after clearing 1.89m.
Brazil’s Alison dos Santos produced a world-leading 46.43 seconds to win the men’s 400m hurdles, ahead of Norway’s Karsten Warholm, second in a season-best 46.52. Dos Santos’ compatriot Matheus Lima was third in a personal-best 47.26.
Botswana’s Collen Busang Kebinatshipi produced a meet-record 43.39 to win the men’s 400m, ahead of American Rai Benjamin, second in a personal-best 43.83, with South Africa’s Zakithi Nene third in 44.37.
Senegal’s Saly Sarr was outstanding in the field events, producing a national record 15.08m to win the women’s triple jump, while Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh equalled the meet record of 2.00m to win the women’s high jump.