Divine Iheme could be the name everyone is talking about in the future. The British sprinter has been compared to Noah Lyles after breaking the 100m and 60m world records in his age category.
Last update: 06/01/25 10:08am
Divine Iheme, 15, broke the 60m world record for her age group in London on Sunday.
Dubbed the new Noah Lyles, Iheme twice broke J-Mee Samuels’ 2003 record of 6.74, hitting 6.71 and 6.72 at the subsequent BFTTA Indoor Series.
He is already fourth in the UK 60m U18 all-time rankings, 0.02 better than Mark Lewis-Francis’ record of 6.69 set in 1999.
Last year, Iheme ran 10.3 seconds in the 100 meters. That’s almost a second faster than Olympic champion Lyles’ best time achieved at age 14.
The teenager made a huge difference in the sprint by shaving two tenths of a second off his previous record and has a bright future ahead of him.
“When I first saw it, I was really shocked. I couldn’t believe it. I was running and jumping and I was so happy, but I couldn’t have done it without God,” Iheme exclusively told me. to Sky Sports News.
“Noah Lyles is a great athlete and he gave me a lot of confidence to pursue this career, run faster and have better times.
“As I travel, I feel like I’ve gained more and more confidence that I can break down more and more barriers.”
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Divine Iheme has discussed becoming the world’s fastest 14-year-old after running 10.3 seconds in the 100m last year.
Iheme said he watched Bolt sprint away.
If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best, and that’s what Iheme does.
The young sprint sensation, nicknamed ‘Lightning’ for his speed, said he studied as hard as he could and watching Usain Bolt as a child cemented his desire to become a world-class sprinter.
He also believes he has a unique and inimitable running style, much like the world record-holding Jamaican.
“I watched quite a few of Usain Bolt’s races and Allison Felix’s 200m, 400m and relay races,” Iheme said. sky sports.
“Probably the first race I ever saw was Bolt’s 200m world record of 19.19 seconds, and I was inspired to pursue my dream.
“I slingshot out of the 200m corner and do my best to stay in first place until I cross the finish line.
“I think my (running style) is unique and natural. I don’t try to model it after anyone.”
Iheme Noah Lyles is faster than he was at his age.
Natural talent? Or in your genes?
ehem said sky sports He has already committed to represent England, despite his parents having previously represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
His grandparents were athletes and his mother Nkiruka Anu and father Innocent Iheme were both successful athletes. His father competed in the 100m and long jump, and his mother competed in the 100m and 200m, as did he.
Iheme believes he was born with a unique talent and is grateful to his parents, especially his mother, who is his trainer, for helping him make the most of his talents.
He added, “I would say it’s a talent that God gave me.” “But (it’s also worth mentioning) my parents who have coached me and helped me get there step by step, helping me train faster and harder.
“The training was really hard but rewarding.”
