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 updated: 06/01/25 10:08
Fifteen-year-old Divine Iheme broke the 60m world record for his age group on Sunday in London.
Iheme, who was billed as the new Noah Lyles, twice broke J-Mee Samuels' 2003 mark of 6.74, clearing 6.71 and 6.72 in the next edition of the BFTTA Indoor Series.
He is already fourth in the all-time UK 60m U18 rankings, 0.02 off Mark Lewis-Francis' 1999 record of 6.69.
Last year, Iheme ran 10.3 in the 100 meters, which was almost a second faster than the best time achieved by Olympic champion Lyles at the same age of 14.
The teenager shaved two tenths of a second, a huge sprint margin, off the previous record and has a bright future ahead of him.
“When I first saw it, I was in complete shock, I couldn't believe it! I was jumping, running around, I was so happy, but I couldn't have done it without God,” Iheme said, exclusively speaking he Sky Sports News.
“Noah Lyles is a great athlete and he gave me a lot of confidence to continue this career, run faster, have a better time.
“I feel like it gives me the confidence to break more and more barriers as I go through my journey.”
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Divine Iheme has discussed becoming the fastest 14-year-old in the world after running 10.3 in the 100m last year
Iheme reveals how Bolt saw him 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 sprinting sensation, nicknamed 'Lightning' for his speed, has studied the best he's ever done and revealed that 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 holder Jamaican.
“I watched a lot of Usain Bolt's races and the 200m, 400m and Allyson Felix's relay,” Iheme said. Sky Sports.
“Probably the first race I watched was his (Bolt's) world record 200m, 19.19, and I was inspired to follow my dream.
“I'm doing my best to get the slingshot out of the corner (in the 200m) and keep holding on to the lead until I cross the finish line.
“In my opinion, I think my (running style) is unique and natural. I'm not trying to model it off anyone.”
Iheme is faster than Noah Lyles was at his age
A natural talent? Or in the genes?
Iheme said Sky Sports he has already committed to represent Great Britain despite his parents both having previously represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
His grandparents were runners and his mother Nkiruka Anu and father Innocent Iheme were successful athletes in their own right – with his father competing in the 100 meters and long jump and his mother competing in the 100 and 200 meters like him.
Iheme believes he is blessed with a unique talent, but is also grateful to his parents – especially his mother, who is his coach – for helping him make the most of his gift.
“I would say it's my God-given talent,” he added. “But (it's) also (worth mentioning), my parents who coached, helped me get there step by step – be faster, train harder.
“The training was really hard, but it's worth it.”