When it comes to sprinting records, Usain Bolt remains the benchmark that all others strive to surpass. Despite retiring years ago, Bolt’s records still remain unscathed. However, while his Olympic records continue to be the epitome of speed, a few others have fallen to worthy opponents over the years. With Oblique Seville being the latest to surpass his national icon at the Racer’s Grand Prix, even Bolt’s own family members couldn’t help but feel the glee of seeing the 23-year-old ready to receive the baton.

In Kingston last night at the Jamaica National Stadium, Oblique pulled off a thriller as he won the men’s 100m race in 9.82 seconds, beating his own previous personal best of 9.86. In the process, he also defeated American sprinter Noah Lyles, sending out a resolute message. To sweeten his victory, Seville received a special congratulation from one of his biggest supporters – Jennifer Bolt.

Usain Bolt’s mother hails Oblique Seville

In a recent post on X, Track Spice shared the post-race scenes in Jamaica. While on one side of the stadium, Noah Lyles complained about how the gunman caught him off-guard, Oblique was being held in a tight hug by Jennifer Bolt. “Usain Bolt’s mother Jennifer Bolt came to congratulate her ‘second son’ Oblique Seville on his great performance,” reads the caption of Track Spice’s post, as the accompanying video shows the two beaming broadly together.

At this race, Seville broke Usain’s record set eight years ago. With that, Seville – who is coached by Bolt’s mentor Glen Mills – also picked up the world lead in the men’s 100m race along with recording his personal best as well. Understandably, it’s a feat that even the fastest man in the world has to take notice of. While Usain is yet to come forward with his congratulations, Jennifer made sure Oblique had someone to give him the nod that he deserves.

Oblique shares a close bond with Usain Bolt’s mother, with whom he shared a picture a year ago, showing her planting a kiss on his cheek. Given this bond, it’s obvious that Jennifer would be elated at seeing the son-like athlete achieve such a major milestone, with just less than two months to Paris. However, amid Seville’s accomplishment, there have been several other big names in track and field who have vowed to break Bolt’s record.

A long list of stupendous runners eyeing immortality

In recent months, America’s Noah Lyles has steadily gained momentum with each race. After he nabbed his best time in Budapest where he won the men’s 100m race, Lyles also claimed that his snatching Bolt’s high throne is only a matter of time. Not only that, but Noah also said that he would be flying to Paris to win gold in all four events (100m, 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m), a feat that even Usain Bolt doesn’t have. Not only Lyles, but Christian Coleman has also said that the current generation of sprinters is very close to breaking Usain’s records after the former won the Xiamen Diamond League.

Noah’s teammate is the current world leader in the men’s 200m race, and could very well go for the world record in Paris later this year. On top of these, Fred Kerley also made the boastful statement that he will be making a new world record the next time he runs the 100m dash. Meanwhile, Seville – who is a top Paris contender – will look to break more records,

With so many explosive claims, only time will tell if the Seine will bear witness to Usain Bolt finally ceding his records to the new blood or if he can remain at the top for some more time.