Divine Iheme could be a name everyone is talking about in the future; British sprinter has been compared to Noah Lyles after breaking 100m and 60m world records for his age category
Last Updated: 06/01/25 10:08am
Fifteen-year-old Divine Iheme broke the 60m world record for his age group on Sunday in London.
Iheme, who has been dubbed as the new Noah Lyles, broke J-Mee Samuels’ Mark of 6.74 from 2003 twice, clocking 6.71 and 6.72 at the next instalment of the BFTTA Indoor Series.
He is already fourth on the UK 60m U18 all-time rankings, 0.02 off Mark Lewis-Francis’ record of 6.69 set in 1999.
Last year, Iheme ran 10.3 over 100m, which was almost one second quicker than the best time Olympic champion Lyles managed at the same age of 14.
The teenager shaved two tenths of a second, a massive margin in sprinting, off the previous record and has a bright future ahead.
“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,” said Iheme, speaking exclusively on Sky Sports News.
“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 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 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 quite a lot of Usain Bolt’s races and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m and relays,” Iheme told Sky Sports.
“Probably the first race I watched, was his [Bolt’s] 200m world record, the 19.19, and I was inspired 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.
“In my opinion, I think my [running style] is unique and natural. I don’t try to model it from anyone.”
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’d say it’s a God-given talent to me,” he added. “But [it’s] also [worth mentioning], my parents who’ve coached, helped me get there step-by-step – get quicker, train harder.
“Training has been really hard but it pays off.”