Divine Iheme could possibly be a reputation everyone seems to be speaking about sooner or later; British sprinter has been in comparison with Noah Lyles after breaking 100m and 60m world information for his age class
Final Up to date: 06/01/25 10:08am
Fifteen-year-old Divine Iheme broke the 60m world file for his age group on Sunday in London.
Iheme, who has been dubbed as the brand new Noah Lyles, broke J-Mee Samuels’ Mark of 6.74 from 2003 twice, clocking 6.71 and 6.72 on the subsequent instalment of the BFTTA Indoor Collection.
He’s already fourth on the UK 60m U18 all-time rankings, 0.02 off Mark Lewis-Francis’ file of 6.69 set in 1999.
Final yr, Iheme ran 10.3 over 100m, which was nearly one second faster than the very best time Olympic champion Lyles managed on the similar age of 14.
{The teenager} shaved two tenths of a second, a large margin in sprinting, off the earlier file and has a vibrant future forward.
“When I first saw it, I was in utter shock, I couldn’t believe it! I was jumping about, running around, I just felt so happy but I couldn’t have done it without God,” mentioned Iheme, talking completely on Sky Sports activities Information.
“Noah Lyles is a great athlete and he’s given me a lot of confidence to pursue this career, run quicker, get a better time.
“I really feel prefer it provides me the boldness to interrupt increasingly boundaries as I am going by my journey.”
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Divine Iheme discussed becoming the world’s fastest 14-year-old after running a time of 10.3 in the 100 metres last year
Iheme reveals watching Bolt saw him take up sprinting
If you want to be the best, then you have to learn from the best and that is exactly what Iheme is doing.
The young sprint sensation, nicknamed ‘Lightning’ because of his speed, has studied the very best to ever do it and revealed watching Usain Bolt as a child solidified 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’ve watched various Usain Bolt’s races and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m and relays,” Iheme told Sky Sports.
“Most likely the primary race I watched, was his [Bolt’s] 200m world file, the 19.19, and I used to be impressed to pursue the dream.
“I try my best to slingshot off the bend [in 200m] and continue holding first until I cross the finish line.
“For my part, I feel my [running style] is exclusive and pure. I do not attempt to mannequin it from anybody.”
Iheme is faster than Noah Lyles was at his age
Natural talent? Or in the genes?
Iheme told Sky Sports he has already committed to representing Great Britain despite his parents both previously representing Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
His grandparents were runners and mother Nkiruka Anu and father Innocent Iheme were both successful athletes, in their own right – with his father competing in the 100m and the long jump, and his mother competing in the 100m and 200m as he does.
Iheme believes he has been blessed with unique talent, but is also thankful to his parents – particularly his mother, who is his trainer – for helping him to make the most of his gift.
“I would say it is a God-given expertise to me,” he added. “However [it’s] additionally [worth mentioning], my dad and mom who’ve coached, helped me get there step-by-step – get faster, prepare tougher.
“Training has been really hard but it pays off.”
