Who’s the Favorite for the Men’s 100m World Championship Showdown in Japan?

The men’s 100m is track and field’s crown jewel: the race that crowns the “world’s fastest man.” And with the World Championships in Japan just weeks away, sprinting fans are in for a showdown that could rival the great clashes of the Usain Bolt era.

This season, three names stand above the rest: Kishane Thompson, Jamaica’s new speed phenomenon; Oblique Seville, Jamaica’s consistent contender; and Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic champion from the U.S. Between them, all roads point to a championship final set to define the next chapter of sprinting greatness.

1. The Contenders

Kishane Thompson (JAM)

• Produced a world-leading 9.75 at the Jamaica Trials in June, the sixth-fastest time in history.
• Beat Lyles in Silesia in 9.87, equaling the meet record.
• Fitness is the wildcard: he missed Lausanne due to shin discomfort.

Noah Lyles (USA)

• Won Olympic gold in Paris 2024 with 9.79, edging Thompson on the line.
• Known for his championship pedigree and late-race surge.
• Limited this year by an ankle issue but steadily rounding into form.

Oblique Seville (JAM)

• Has perhaps the most momentum this season, with wins over Lyles in London and Lausanne.
• Clocked 9.87 in Lausanne despite tricky wet conditions.
• Twice fourth at Worlds, but learning to convert consistency into medals.

2. Big Stage Résumés

• Olympics 2024, Paris: Lyles snatched gold (9.784) in a photo finish with Thompson (9.789), while Seville finished eighth.

• World Championships: Lyles already owns world titles in the 100m and 200m. Seville has twice just missed the podium (4th), while Thompson is           seeking his global breakthrough.

• Personal Bests: Thompson (9.75, 2025), Lyles (9.79, 2024), Seville (9.81, 2024).

3. Head-to-Head Snapshots

4. X-Factors

• Form: Seville looks sharpest right now, taking confidence into Worlds.
• Experience: Lyles has proven he delivers when it matters most.
• Outright Speed: Thompson has the fastest clocking of the season—but can his body hold up?
• Psychology: Lyles’ confidence and mental prep are unmatched; Thompson is still untested under global spotlight pressure.
• Race Dynamics: Expect Thompson to blast off early, Seville to hang tough mid-race, and Lyles to close late.

5. Why This Race Matters

The men’s 100m final in Tokyo could become the most electrifying race since Usain Bolt last lit up the stage. Three men under 9.81 seconds in the past year echoes legendary rivalries—like Bolt vs. Gay vs. Powell in 2009 or Bolt vs. Gatlin in 2015.

Chasing the headline trio are four seasoned names who could shake up the podium. Kenny Bednarek (USA) stunned the track world by winning the U.S. Trials in a blazing 9.79—his personal best and the fastest 100 m time in the U.S. this year—proving he's more than just a 200 m specialist and positioning himself strongly in the gold‑medal conversation. Courtney Lindsey (USA) isn’t far behind; he ran a personal‑best 9.82 to finish second at the U.S. Championships, officially securing his World Championships spot and signaling he’s a legitimate threat. Zharnel Hughes (GBR), Britain’s national record holder with a PB of 9.83, has maintained solid form this summer—posting a season’s best of 9.91, good enough for second place at the Prefontaine Classic and keeping himself in the medal mix if he nails his start. Akani Simbine (RSA), one of the sport’s most reliable championship finalists, continues his streak of excellence with 11 consecutive sub‑10‑second seasons and a world‑leading 9.90 this year—proof that he's never someone to count out when medals are at stake. 

6. Final Take

If Thompson reproduces his 9.75, nobody may catch him.

If Seville continues his hot streak, he could seize the moment and claim Jamaica’s sprinting throne.

If Lyles brings his championship magic, history suggests he won’t go quietly.

Regardless of the outcome, the men’s 100m final in Japan promises suspense, speed, and spectacle worthy of sprinting’s golden legacy. This could be the race of the decade.

 The men’s 100m is track and field’s crown jewel: the race that crowns the “world’s fastest man.” And with the World Championships in Japan just weeks away, sprinting fans are in for a showdown that could rival the great clashes of the Usain Bolt era.

This season, three names stand above the rest: Kishane Thompson, Jamaica’s new speed phenomenon; Oblique Seville, Jamaica’s consistent contender; and Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic champion from the U.S. Between them, all roads point to a championship final set to define the next chapter of sprinting greatness.