WCH Tokyo 25 brushstroke (© World Athletics)
Oblique Seville (JAM) – gold
On his gold medal:
“It was a good run today because these two really pushed me to reach my personal best. It is a tremendous feeling for me.
“I come from a small community. Usain (Bolt) had the same kind of background growing up. I am very pleased to share those similarities with Usain.”
On what made the difference this year:
“Through the years that I've been performing, injuries have always stopped me. And this year I showed my dominance throughout the season. I said, ‘Okay, this is my year and I'm going to take this moment and no one else is going to take it away from me.’”
On Jamaica placing one-two in the final:
“It’s down to those Jamaican coaches, such as Steven Francis, who have proven themselves over and over throughout the years. It shows that Jamaica is the boss. Right here, we are re-writing history. We've got talent, we've got ambition.”
Kishane Thompson (JAM) – silver
On the race:
“It was a really good race. The competition was stacked. Nevertheless, I wanted to win. I didn't win but I really enjoyed myself. We just move forward.
“I was locked in and kept talking to myself. When it came to the last five metres, I saw Oblique, and he was moving. I was like, ‘Yeah, I didn't get it.’”
On his season:
“I've never run so many races in my life. Everyone knows my story, which is not really so typical -– of being held back because of injury. I have got a lot of battle experience running with these two and all the other great competitors.”
Noah Lyles (USA) – bronze
On the race:
“I'm never going to be disappointed with myself for producing the best race of my season in the moment that needed it most. That was an amazing race.”
On how to grow the sport:
“It should be through culture. When you get involved with culture, that's when people start taking a look.
“I have a very big love for Japan, and I'm very honoured that they have a love for me. I've probably done like 70 ‘Kamehamehas’ (a signature anime hand pose) today to the fans, and that has nothing to do with winning or losing.”
On what he has learned mentally from Japanese anime:
“I think the greatest line in all of anime is from the first episode of ‘One Piece’ with Ruffy saying ‘I'm gonna be Pirate King.’ Everybody just laughs at him.
“If you’re taking that mentality into everything you do, it doesn't matter who thinks you can do it, it doesn't matter if they think you're going accomplish it or you're going to fail, or die trying.
“All that matters is you believe it. And every time you believe it, it gets stronger and stronger and stronger.”
