Golden Boy - Residents hail ‘Little Sugar’ Oblique and his journey to sprint crown

Juliet Seville is one proud mother and deservingly so, as her 'wash belly' Oblique Seville is now a World champion.

Yesterday, Oblique earned his first global individual medal, taking the men's 100-metre World Athletics Championships title in a new personal best of 9.77 seconds at the Japan National Stadium. Compatriot Kishane Thompson claimed the silver medal in 9.82 seconds for a Jamaican 1-2 finish. The elated Seville, who watched the race yesterday with relatives in England, said constant prayers and fasting have paid off significantly.

"I am so happy, I am so glad and I am jumping up and giving God thanks because it is God who carried him through. I kept on praying and our family members and church family come together and we do pray and prayer works," Seville said.

As she reflected on his victory, Seville said her late husband Gerald would be extremely proud of his son's latest accomplishment.

"Everybody is rejoicing with me and I got the courage to sit and watch the race with my family. If his father was here he would be so happy because they were really close and he supported him 100 per cent," she said.

"I am a proud mom today and I want to tell my son a big congratulations. You did it through prayer and hard work and I want you to keep praying and trusting God. Oblique is not only my child, but a the world pickney now, ano fimi alone," Seville added between laughter.

Oblique is from the quiet farming community of Ness Castle, St Thomas. The district is known for its lush vegetation but also badly broken roads. However, since the launch of the track and field star's career, he has been shining a new light on the district.

Yesterday, when THE STAR team visited the area, everyone was in a jubilant mood including Javoy Jones. The tradesman said he was so excited that he used his work tool as a drum.

"Him come from far and mi proud a him. A long time mi have confidence inna him from him a go primary school. Him win big now and it is like a joy to mi. Mi say mi did a do mi mason work and when mi see say him win, mi beat mi trowel on some wall eh see. Oblique, big up yourself ya man and mi happy fi yuh ya sah," Jones said.

Paul McLeary was just as excited, stating that he is not surprised by the youth's victory. He described Oblique as a humble, well-mannered young man, while crediting his success to his late father.

"Mi feel so good for a youth weh mi know for so many years. Mi member how yuh would never see him without him father and Oblique always a run. Him would run go everywhere and that is why from him start the sports ting, mi know him would reach far. Him full a manners and mi know him father suppose to feel nice inna him grave ya now. Mi proud a him fi true because he is this little youth from this small district. Just gwan pray youth," McLeary said.

Tawsy, one of the Sevilles' neighbours, said Oblique is nicknamed 'Little Sugar' - as his dad was nicknamed 'Sugar' -and the victory is indeed sweet. He expressed hope that this new light on the district will spur the authorities to have the roads repaired.

"Mi never get to watch the race live because mi did a sleep, and when mi see it, it was just a good feeling. I never doubted him eno, and we did all know it was going to happen. I remember when he was little, his father used to have him on his shoulder and carry him up an down. They had a great bond. A just one ting mi a beg the government and is to fix the road because champion can't walk on bad road," Tawsy said.

As she sat in her shop at Bethel Gap, Miss Ruby said the win is a big blessing for St Thomas. She also hoped the authorities will fix the road where he Oblique hails from "because over deh broke up bad".

"Oblique have it inna him and it is a good look because over here suh is a place where people hardly know, but Oblique put it on the map," she said.