When Oblique Seville ripped his kit

WHEN I first heard the name Oblique Seville, it stood out. Oblique?

“Who would really want to name their child, Oblique, and why,” I thought to myself.

I knew the meaning of oblique, but I actually jumped on to Google. And there it was: “1. neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting; 2. Not expressed or done in a direct way”. And, Seville?

A city in Spain it is, the one after which the Spaniards named New Seville in St Ann, the first capital of the new colony, where Seville Great House still exists. But, it is also what some Jamaicans call a species of sour oranges. A very interesting combination it is, and that was the reason the name stuck, and not for his exploits on the track.

He seemed to be a quiet and gentle soul, and I hoped he would be one of those to replace Bolt, Blake and Powell. I referred to him as ‘The Promise’, who made it to the finals of the 2022 World Championships. He came fourth, and remained in that position in the 2023 iteration. He multiplied fourth by two and ended up with eighth in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

In an article headlined Forget Paris, LA beckons, published on August 14, last year, I wrote, “The male equivalent of the 100m was even more eagerly anticipated. Not since 2016 when Usain bolted into the pages of Olympic history with another golden run had there been such excitement. Kishane Thompson sent the collective pulse of the nation into overdrive … .

“As for Oblique Seville, the forever promise is now reminiscent of another Jamaican legend who faded at the big games. Oblique is too meek ... He needs the killer instinct of the ‘Lightning Bolt’ and ‘The Beast’.”

And life went on, until earlier this year, at the national finals. Seville’s fitness was in doubt. At the start of the final race, Seville was beside himself; something was wrong. He was antsy, not sure whether he should start. Drama began to ... A decision had to be made fast.

He was removed from the space. Help came, and somebody seemed to have worked some magic on him. He returned to the blocks, and when it was over, he was second fiddle to the rising star, Kishane Thompson, who has a habit of walking away from the paparazzi after winning a race. He was on his way to Tokyo, and so was Oblique Seville.

In Tokyo, having beaten Lyles twice in the season, Seville fell asleep in the first round while he was in the set position. It was the explosion from the starter’s gun that blasted him from his nap, and I was petrified. The Promise was moving from fourth to eighth to nothing at all. But, he clawed his way to third, with a time-qualifier of 9.90, into the semi-finals, where he won his heat in 9.86.

The Promise was still a promise. Yet, Lyles and Thompson were on most people’s mind. Would Thompson deliver this time around? Or, would Lyles clip him again? But, The Promise was the one to beat in Bolt’s mind. He must have seen the fire beneath The Promise’s usual calm demeanour.

Sunday morning, Jamaica time, the tension was reminiscent of that of 2005, when Powell reversed into fifth place. The nation did not want Lyles to win, so when the black, green and bright yellow kit of Thompson shot into the lead, everybody was standing and shouting.

And, then another black, green, and bright yellow kit went speeding by, passing Lyles and others, including Thompson, across the finish line. Oblique Seville was on fire, matching Powell’s first world record of 9.77. He then ripped the top of his kit apart, snarling as a beast, baring his chest, his heart and his soul. Be careful of what you ask for.

Among other things, the commentator shouted, “A wonderful, wonderful run from Seville. Thompson got out hard, he was in the driving seat, but Seville had irresistible momentum. And though he’s limping, he will be saluting a proud nation. Lyles takes it well, it’s the bronze for him this time. What a champion, what a moment for Oblique Seville to finally deliver on that promise from all those years!

“Bitterly disappointed in ’22, bitterly disappointed in ’23 and ’24. But, today, he’s come out on top of the world, and in front of Usain Bolt. He’s become the first Jamaican champion for over a decade, brilliant, brilliant from the sensational Seville!”

And, it was reported that, in reaction, Seville said, “Put some respect pon mi name.” It is not just any arbitrary name. It is Oblique Seville, the name that grabbed my attention a few years ago.

He’s no longer a promise; he’s world champion.