British teenage sprinter Divine Iheme is making headlines in the world of athletics after setting age-group records that put him ahead of some of the biggest names in the sport at a similar stage of their careers.
Iheme, who stunned the athletics world last summer by clocking 10.3 seconds in the 100 metres at just 14 years old, holds the world age record for that distance. For context, Olympic 100 metres champion Noah Lyles ran nearly a full second slower at the same age, while Australia’s rising star Gout Gout managed 10.57 seconds.
Now 15, Iheme has continued his remarkable rise by setting a new indoor world record over 60 metres for his age group earlier this year. As he prepares to compete at the English Schools Athletics Championships this weekend, the Oxford-born sprinter says his ambitions go far beyond national success.
“I can see myself with an Olympic title to my name in the 100 and the 200, and hopefully it will happen,” said Iheme, who is affectionately nicknamed ‘Lightning’.
Athletics runs in the family. Divine is the third son of two former Nigerian international sprinters. His mother, Nkiruka Divine, who competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and later served in the British Army, is also his coach. She said she spotted his talent before he was even born.
“I knew when he was in my tummy,” she said. “When I was pregnant, he kept on kicking. Once he entered primary school, we knew we had to nurture his talent.”
The family established the PWD Athletics Academy in Oxford, where Divine trains four times a week under the close watch of his parents.
“It is tough. I cannot escape any sessions,” Iheme said with a smile. “Once we enter the track, my mum is no longer mum. She becomes coach.”
Divine’s talent began to shine through during primary school when he would routinely leave competitors far behind in 75 metre races. His breakthrough came at the English Schools Athletics Championships in 2023 when, as a 13-year-old, he won the 100 metres in 11.7 seconds. It was then that he decided to commit fully to the sport.
Inspired by legends such as Usain Bolt and current Olympic 200 metres champion Letsile Tebogo, Iheme has set his sights on surpassing his already eye-catching performances. He is aiming for a personal best of 10.2 seconds in the 100 metres and to run under 21 seconds in the 200 metres.
The young sprinter also follows the progress of fellow teenage sensation Gout Gout. “He’s doing great. I saw his recent 20.2 and I was really happy for him,” said Iheme.
Despite his exceptional talent, Divine maintains the down-to-earth personality of a typical teenager. “I like to watch Netflix. I love binge watching,” he admitted.
However, those around him know that talent alone is not enough. Former world indoor champion Dwain Chambers praised the young sprinter’s potential but stressed the importance of patience and proper development.
“Many of us who have been in athletics for a long time understand that it’s a marathon,” Chambers said. “It is about teaching athletes skills on and off the track. It is a case of nurturing at the right time.”
As Divine Iheme continues to shatter records and dominate youth athletics, the British sprinting world is watching with anticipation. If his early achievements are anything to go by, the path to Olympic glory may well be within his grasp.