Usain Bolt believes compatriot Oblique Seville could be the sprinter to shatter his 100m world record, despite his ‘fragile’ nature.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist’s record has been unchallenged since clocking an astonishing 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

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Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds has stood since August 16, 2009[/caption]

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Bolt believes Seville has got what it takes to slash his world record on the 100m distance[/caption]

But now, Bolt has dubbed Jamaica star Seville to be the one to claim a new stake at the top of sprinting.

Several sprinters, including Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay, have come close to Bolt’s time, having both recorded 9.69 seconds in 2009 and 2012 respectively.

However, Bolt’s time remains untouched, even with the rise of Olympic champion Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson, and Fred Kerley.

It isn’t any of them who Bolt believed would challenge for his record though, with Seville the top of his list.

While young talents like Australia’s Gout Gout — who has already broken some of Bolt’s teenage records — and Britain’s 15-year-old Divine Iheme are emerging, Bolt singled out Seville, 24, as the one to watch.

Speaking on The Fix Podcast, Bolt said: “I feel like Oblique can do it. If he can stay fit during the season and get it right, I feel he can do it, because I am sure there is something there, the ability to do it.”

Bolt acknowledged that Seville’s inconsistency could be a hurdle but maintained that his record is within reach.

He added: “Some of the time Oblique can be fragile. It’s a matter of the work situation or whatever, but if he’s doing enough work, he can do it.

“It’s a matter of time because he’s not missed the finals yet, so it’s just to get over the hump.”

Seville’s rise in sprinting has been steady. After finishing third in Jamaica’s 2020 Olympic Trials, he was quickly identified as one of the country’s most promising athletes.

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Seville secured a notable victory over Noah Lyles earlier this year[/caption]

Bolt also shared his thoughts on what it would take for Seville to reach the sport’s pinnacle.

“He’s the master and he just needs to find the right season, stay clean and do the right thing, and if the coach believes him and the coach says. It’s just that he needs to put it all together,” the 38-year-old explained.

Though Seville placed last in the 100m final at the 2024 Olympics, the experience has seemingly fueled his progress.

He recently claimed a statement victory over Lyles at the Racers Grand Prix in Jamaica, posting a blistering 9.82 seconds.

Training under legendary coach Glen Mills – the mastermind behind Bolt’s career – Seville appears well-positioned to challenge the sprinting greats and go for a shot at history.

It won’t be long before Seville is back in sprinting action either, with the 24-year-old in action at the Grand Slam Track event in Kingston on Friday 4th April.

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The competition was set-up by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson and is set to feature the likes of Gabby Thomas, Team GB’s Dina Asher-Smith, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Quincy Hall.

Jamaican pair Ackeem Blake will join Seville in the men’s 100m race, taking on Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek.