Divine Iheme: Meet the 14-year-old British sprint prodigy who is fastest U15 in HISTORY and dubbed ‘next Noah Lyles’
SPRINT sensation Divine Iheme is on the fast track to Olympic glory.
The 14-year-old is the fastest ever Under-15 runner, getting across the 100m finish line in just 10.3 seconds.
Jamaican star Sachin Dennis held the previous record at 10.51 seconds, with the two tenths difference considered an absolute age in the sprinting world.
Iheme’s blistering pace has seen him dubbed the “next Noah Lyles”.
And rightly so as the American Paris Olympics gold medal winner ran a best of 11.27 seconds when he was that age.
All eight men in the 100m final in Paris ran sub-ten seconds for the first time ever.
Lyles won it with a 9.79 second dash as last placed Oblique Seville came in at 9.91.
At the speed of Iheme’s improvements, he could be making his mark on the world stage in no time.
The teenager nicknamed “Lightening” has also lived up to his tag in the 200m, running a stunning 21.68 seconds.
Sprinting is in his genes as both of his parents represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
His mum Nkiruku competed in the 100m and 200m like her son, while his dad Innocent was in the 100m and the long jump.
They both now coach their son in Oxford, and have admitted his pace is a “God-given talent”.
Michael Ofo of SOS Management, who has helped British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley on his rise to the top, is also in Iheme’s camp.
Despite being eligible for Nigeria, Iheme is committed to Team GB.
He told Sky Sports: “I was born here, I’ve had free education, free school meals. Everyone here has been taking care of me, child support, all this stuff.
“I feel like I’m going to run for Great Britain because they have helped me the most.”
But when it comes to inspirations, Iheme looks further afield, saying: “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’ve watched quite a lot of Usain Bolt‘s races and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m and relays.
“Probably the first race I watched was Bolt’s 200m world record, the 19.19, I was inspired to pursue my dream.
“I try my best to slingshot off the bend [in 200m] and continue holding first until I cross the finish line.
“In my opinion, I think my running style is unique and natural. I don’t try to model it on anyone.”
Iheme is keen to one day run as fast as Bolt – but his main aims are more heartwarming.
He said: “I always try to do my parents proud. I want to make sure that in the future, they can just sit back and relax while I can get them gifts, buy them a house, buy them things for their future.
“The goal is to try and make them happy, make them live a great life.”