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Oblique Seville Blazes to Meeting Record in Historic All Nine-Sub-10 Silesia Showdown

Jamaica’s Oblique Seville delivered another sensational statement at the Silesia Wanda Diamond League, storming to victory in a breathtaking men’s 100 metres and setting a new meeting record of 9.83 seconds that made sprinting history in Chorzów, Poland.

In one of the deepest and most extraordinary sprint races ever witnessed, Seville powered clear of a world-class field to take the win, with Kenneth Bednarek of the United States finishing second in 9.87 and fellow American Christian Coleman completing the podium in 9.93.

But Seville’s meeting-record victory was only one part of the remarkable story. For the first time in history, all nine athletes in a single men's 100m race broke the 10-second barrier, producing an unprecedented display of sprinting depth.

The historic race also marked only the second time that every athlete in a men's 100m final had broken 10 seconds, following the eight-man final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In Silesia, however, the achievement went even further, with an entire nine-man field dipping below the iconic barrier.

Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi produced another impressive performance to finish fourth in 9.94, while South Africa’s Gift Leotlela followed in fifth with 9.95. Canada’s Olympic champion Andre De Grasse clocked 9.96 in sixth, with South African star Akani Simbine recording the same time in seventh.

American Ronnie Baker added another sub-10-second performance with 9.97 for eighth place, while Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme ensured the historic sweep was complete by running 9.99 in ninth.

Men's 100m Results – Silesia Wanda Diamond League

1. Oblique Seville (Jamaica) — 9.83 Meeting Record

2. Kenneth Bednarek (United States) — 9.87

3. Christian Coleman (United States) — 9.93

4. Kayinsola Ajayi (Nigeria) — 9.94

5. Gift Leotlela (South Africa) — 9.95

6. Andre De Grasse (Canada) — 9.96

7. Akani Simbine (South Africa) — 9.96

8. Ronnie Baker (United States) — 9.97

9. Emmanuel Eseme (Cameroon) — 9.99

For Seville, the victory was another emphatic demonstration of his exceptional form and his ability to rise to the occasion against the strongest opposition. His 9.83 not only secured the Diamond League win but also lowered the Silesia meeting record, putting an exclamation mark on a performance of the highest quality.

Nine men went under 10 seconds. Seville went under 9.84. On an unforgettable day in Silesia, the Jamaican stood tallest in a race that pushed the boundaries of what men's sprinting has ever seen.

(08/23/2026) Views: 156 ⚡AMP
by Erick Cheruiyot for My Best Runs.
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Omanyala’s Sprint Masterclass Continues as Kenyan Star Blazes to Fifth Sub-10 of the Season in Xiamen

Ferdinand Omanyala delivered yet another statement performance on the global stage, storming to a brilliant 9.94 seconds in Xiamen to secure his fifth sub-10-second clocking of the season and reaffirm his status as one of the fastest men in the world.

In a race packed with elite sprinting talent, the African record holder rose above a formidable field that included South Africa’s Gift Leotlela, American star Kenny Bednarek, Botswana’s Olympic sensation Letsile Tebogo and several other world-class competitors. Omanyala’s explosive acceleration and commanding finish proved decisive as he surged clear to claim victory in one of the most anticipated sprint contests of the meeting.

The Kenyan speedster’s latest triumph extends what has been an exceptional 2026 campaign. His season opened with a 9.98-second run at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix before he followed it with 9.96 seconds at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi. Just days later, he lowered his mark to 9.95 seconds at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix, showcasing remarkable consistency against high-calibre opposition. Another 9.98-second performance at the Shanghai Diamond League kept his momentum alive before his outstanding 9.94-second display in Xiamen elevated him to a new season’s best.

What makes Omanyala’s achievements even more impressive is the consistency with which he continues to operate below the coveted 10-second barrier. Running sub-10 once is a hallmark of elite sprinting; accomplishing the feat five times in a single season reflects extraordinary form, elite preparation, and unwavering confidence.

Beyond the stopwatch, the victory sends a strong message to the rest of the sprinting world. With every race, Omanyala appears sharper, stronger and more composed, building momentum as the season progresses. His ability to defeat a field stacked with international stars highlights not only his raw speed but also his growing reputation as a major contender at the sport’s biggest events.

As the Diamond League season gathers pace and championship ambitions begin to take shape, Omanyala is positioning himself among the leading figures in men’s sprinting. If his current trajectory continues, even faster times may be on the horizon.

For now, the numbers tell a compelling story: five races under 10 seconds, a season-best 9.94 seconds, and another emphatic victory against some of the world’s finest sprinters. Ferdinand Omanyala is not merely racing—he is redefining consistency at the highest level and strengthening his claim as Africa’s undisputed sprint king.

(05/23/2026) Views: 392 ⚡AMP
by Erick Cheruiyot for My Best Runs.
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Gift Leotlela Delivers the Ultimate Birthday Statement with Shanghai Sprint Triumph

Just four days after celebrating his 28th birthday, South African sprint star Gift Leotlela handed himself the perfect present — a sensational victory in the men’s 100 metres at the Shanghai Diamond League.

Leotlela stormed to victory in a blistering 9.97 seconds, edging one of the strongest sprint fields of the season in a race that was decided by the narrowest of margins. Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala crossed the line in 9.98, matching the time of American sprint sensation Kenny Bednarek, who settled for third after a dramatic finish.

The race delivered elite-level drama from start to finish, with American star Trayvon Bromell and Australia’s Lachie Kennedy both clocking 10.01 to finish fourth and fifth respectively in one of the fastest and most competitive 100m contests of the year.

For Leotlela, however, the night belonged entirely to him.

The South African has quietly been building momentum throughout the season, and Shanghai now feels like confirmation that he is ready to challenge the very best consistently on the global stage. His latest triumph comes after opening his 2026 campaign with victory at the South African Championships last month, a performance that hinted at what was to come.

Now, with a sub-10 second victory against a stacked international field, Leotlela appears to be picking up exactly where he left off after his impressive fifth-place finish at last year’s World Championships.

What made the performance even more remarkable was the composure he displayed under immense pressure. Against proven championship medal contenders and some of the quickest starters in the world, Leotlela stayed relaxed, executed brilliantly through the drive phase, and unleashed a powerful finish to snatch the win in the closing metres.

The result further strengthens South Africa’s growing reputation as a sprinting powerhouse and signals that Leotlela could be a major force as the season progresses toward the world’s biggest championships.

In Shanghai, the timing could not have been more poetic. Four days after turning 28, Gift Leotlela did not just celebrate a birthday — he announced himself as one of the most dangerous sprinters in the world.

(05/18/2026) Views: 431 ⚡AMP
by Erick Cheruiyot for My Best Runs.
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Visa issues cause headaches for hundreds of athletes and officials at track world championships

100-meter sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala is expected to land in Oregon about three hours before his first heat Friday

Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala is one of the fastest men in the world at 100 meters, the rare African sprinter who could medal this weekend at the 2022 track and field world championships in Oregon.

But first, he has to make it there – and that's proven to be anything but simple.

Omanyala is one of the hundreds of international athletes and officials who have encountered visa issues ahead of the world championships at Hayward Field, leaving them frustrated, frazzled and, in many cases, racing just to make it to the start line.

The issues appear to stem from poor communication, applications being filed too late and general backlogs at U.S. embassies, where athletes must schedule an appointment and interview in order to obtain a temporary visa.

"This is ridiculous!" retired U.S. sprinting star Michael Johnson wrote on Twitter. "It’s been known US entry visa may be one of the most difficult and (World Athletics) and the organizing committee didn’t get ahead of this?"

World Athletics spokesperson Nicole Jeffery told USA TODAY Sports in an email that, as of Thursday, 374 visa cases involving athletes or officials had been flagged to a joint committee consisting of local organizers, World Athletics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who have worked to help speed up the process.

About 73% of the cases have been resolved, Jeffery added, leaving a little less than 100 still in various stages of the process.

"We continue to follow up with those outstanding visa issues," World Athletics said in a statement. "International travel in general has become more challenging due to the pandemic and we are extremely grateful for the help and experience of the USOPC in helping to resolve issues that have come up in Omanyala, who has recorded the third-fastest time in the 100 this year, is perhaps the most high-profile athlete who has been impacted. His manager, Marcél Viljoen, told USA TODAY Sports that the 26-year-old has been "frustrated and disappointed" while working to obtain his visa, which he finally did Thursday morning in Kenya.

Viljoen said Omayala is now scheduled to arrive in Eugene, Oregon about three hours before his first heat Friday.

"I want to thank everybody who has worked around the clock to ensure I get my visa," Omanyala told the BBC.

"There's nobody to blame here. It's the system, how it works. You cannot force anything."

Nearly a dozen athletes from South Africa have also encountered visa issues, according to South African media outlet Independent Online, as have athletes from India, Iran and Jamaica, among others.

"Missed out on representing Libya at Worlds because my Federation couldn’t get visas," sprinter Ahmed Amaar wrote on Twitter on Monday. "Representation matters and with no support from (World Athletics) there can be no development for smaller Nations."

Inocencio added that he was surprised to encounter logistical issues like this given the United States' size and reputation. He hopes it might serve as a learning moment before the nation hosts the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

In the meantime, athletes whose travel plans have been disrupted – but not completely derailed – by visa delays can only try to make the best of a stressful situation. 

"We (are) finally going, although some of us are going to arrive on the day we racing," South African sprinter Gift Leotlela wrote on Instagram. "We will fight and represent our country with Pride and honour."

(07/14/2022) Views: 2,159 ⚡AMP
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World Athletics Championships Budapest23

World Athletics Championships Budapest23

Budapest is a true capital of sports, which is one of the reasons why the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 is in the right place here. Here are some of the most important world athletics events and venues where we have witnessed moments of sporting history. Throughout the 125-year history of Hungarian athletics, the country and Budapest have hosted numerous...

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