Divine Iheme obliterated the world 100m record for his age group, clocking an extraordinary 10.30 seconds at the Lee Valley athletics meet on August 26.This stunning achievement surpasses the previous record of 10.51 seconds, set by Jamaica’s Sachin Dennis, and places Iheme in the global spotlight as one of the most promising young athletes.
Known as ‘Lightning Divine,’ Iheme was already recognized as the fastest 14-year-old over 100m in the UK, having set a personal best of 10.56 seconds at the England Athletics Under-15 and Under-17 Open Championships last month.
His 10.30-second sprint at Lee Valley not only smashed the previous world best but also placed him third on the European under-18 all-time list. Only Great Britain’s Teddy Wilson (10.26) and France’s Jeff Erius (10.27) have recorded faster times in the under-18 category.
If Iheme continues his rapid progress, he could potentially challenge the legendary Usain Bolt’s 100m world record of 9.58 seconds in the future.
Who is Divine Iheme?
Born on January 1, 2009, to Nigerian parents Innocent and Nkiruku Iheme, Divine has grown up in a highly supportive sporting environment. His mother, Nkiruku, who also coaches him, founded the PWD Athletic Academy in Oxfordshire, where the family resides and Divine trains. Both of his parents have a rich athletic background, having represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Despite his rapid rise, Divine remains humble and attributes his success to natural talent. He has closely studied the techniques of legendary sprinters like Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix but insists on maintaining his unique style.
“I’ve watched quite a lot of Usain Bolt’s races and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m, and relays,” Iheme shared with Sky Sports. “Probably the first race I watched was his 200m world record, the 19.19, and I was inspired to pursue the dream. In my opinion, I think my running style is unique and natural. I don’t try to model it from anyone. It’s just a God-given talent.”
As Iheme continues to break records and attract attention with his extraordinary performances, he is being touted as a future track star for Great Britain. With his remarkable achievements at such a young age, Divine Iheme is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of athletics.