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‘I’m Divine Iheme – the fastest 15-year-old in history’
When Divine Iheme clocked 10.3 seconds in the 100m at age 14 last summer, it marked a world record for his age group.
To provide context, Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles’ personal best at the same age was approximately one second slower, while Australian sprinting prospect Gout Gout recorded a time of 10.57.
Now 15, Iheme currently holds the 60m indoor world record for his age group, a feat achieved this past January.
However, his aspirations extend far beyond these accomplishments.
“I envision myself securing Olympic titles in both the 100 and 200 meters, and I’m optimistic that it will come to fruition,” states Iheme, who goes by the moniker ‘Lightning’.
Born in Oxford to Nigerian parents, both former international sprinters, Iheme seems destined for speed. His mother recognized his potential early on.
“I knew it when he was in my womb,” explains Nkiruka Divine, who serves not only as his mother but also his coach. “During my pregnancy, he was constantly kicking.”
“As athletes ourselves, along with my father and his father, we observed his talent upon entering primary school and decided to nurture it.”
Iheme is set to compete this weekend at the English Schools Athletics Championships, aiming for further success.
After an initial stint in gymnastics, Divine transitioned to athletics at the age of seven, quickly realizing he stood apart from his peers.
“In the 75m races at primary school, there would always be a significant gap,” he recalls.
“I’d often look back and wonder, ‘Did I really run that?’ It felt quite strange to me.”
While initially running for enjoyment alongside other sports, his performance at the 2023 English Schools Athletics Championships marked a turning point.
“At 13, I won the 100m in 11.7 seconds,” he recounts. “That’s when I realized, ‘This is what I want to pursue.'”
Nkiruka Divine (second right) competed internationally from 1998-2008.
Following her participation in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Nkiruka served for nine years in the British Army, an experience she credits with shaping her coaching approach.
Recognizing Divine’s potential, she and her husband, Innocent, established the PWD Athletics Academy in Oxford, where their son trains four times a week.
“It’s challenging, very challenging. I can’t skip any sessions,” the teenager admits with a smile.
“He understands that once we’re on the track, I don’t see him as my son,” Nkiruka explains.
“I switch from motherhood to coach and focus on the task at hand.”
“She understands me better than anyone because I’m her son,” Divine adds.
“She can critique me effectively, identifying my strengths and weaknesses, which is incredibly beneficial.”
“Her training is what led to those two records.”
Iheme mentions growing up watching videos of Usain Bolt’s record-breaking 200m performances at the World Championships in Berlin, admires Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo, and has been closely monitoring Gout’s times.
“He’s doing exceptionally well. I was thrilled for him when I saw his recent 20.2,” he says.
While Iheme and Gout may eventually compete head-to-head for major athletic honors, the British sprinter is currently focused on personal improvement.
“I’m aiming for a personal best of 10.2 or even faster,” he states.
“And I’m determined to significantly improve my 200m time, aiming for sub-21 seconds.”
Despite his undeniable talent, Iheme remains a typical teenager in many ways.
“I enjoy watching Netflix and binge-watching shows,” he says.
The importance of staying grounded cannot be overstated. The athletics world is filled with examples of talented young athletes who failed to transition into successful senior competitors.
“Many of us who have been involved in athletics for a long time understand that it’s a marathon,” says 2010 world indoor champion Dwain Chambers.
“It’s about instilling essential skills in athletes both on and off the track… it’s a matter of providing the right support at the right time.”