TOKYO, Japan – The stage is about for an exhilarating males’s 100-meter closing on the 2025 World Athletics Championships, with Jamaica, the US, and South Africa every advancing two athletes to the showdown.
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They are going to be joined by sprinters from Nigeria and Botswana when the ultimate blasts off at 9:20 a.m. EST Sunday inside Japan’s Nationwide Stadium.
Lyles opens with authority
Defending champion Noah Lyles made an emphatic assertion within the first semi-final, storming to victory in 9.92 seconds. Only a step behind was Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi, clocking 9.93 seconds, whereas South Africa’s seasoned campaigner Akani Simbine secured third in 9.96 seconds to advance as a non-automatic qualifier.
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, nonetheless, struggled to search out rhythm, ending a distant fifth in 10.12 seconds, ending his championship run.
Thompson and Bednarek in lockstep
The second semi-final delivered one of the crucial hanging pictures of the night as Kenneth Bednarek of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson powered down the straight in excellent unison. The pair exchanged glances as they surged towards the end line as each crossed in 9.85 seconds. Bednarek was awarded the win by the narrowest of margins.
Seville settles nerves with polished win
After giving his supporters a scare in Saturday’s heats, Jamaica’s Indirect Seville appeared calm and commanding within the third semi-final. A sharper begin allowed him to manage the race, gliding to victory in 9.86 seconds. Behind him, Botswana’s rising star Letsile Tebogo posted 9.94 seconds for second, whereas South Africa’s Present Leotlela clinched the ultimate qualifying spot in 9.97—after he recorded 9.87 seconds within the heats.
Pre-race rigidity with De Grasse
There was a second of rigidity earlier than Seville’s race as Canada’s Andre De Grasse twitched on the road, triggering Leotlela right into a false begin. Officers dominated the incident unworthy of disqualification however handed De Grasse a yellow card warning, which he now carries for the remainder of the Championships.
With Lyles defending his crown, Thompson and Seville carrying Jamaica’s hopes, Bednarek looking glory, and South Africa boasting two decided finalists, the race guarantees to be a conflict of velocity, nerves, and nationwide pleasure. Add in Tebogo’s fearless youth and Ajayi’s kind, and the lads’s 100m closing is shaping into one of many highlights of the Championships.
