The 15-year-old sprinter has captured global attention since running world bests over 60m and 100m
Divine Iheme is a name you will want to remember. The Oxfordshire-based sprinter has recently written his name into the history books as the fastest 15-year-old ever over 60m, breaking the long-standing record of 6.74 set by J-Mee Samuels back in 2003. Not only did Iheme break the record once, but he did it twice, running times of 6.71 and 6.72 at the Lee Valley BFTTA Indoor Series in January.
This now places the athlete who is also known as “Lightning Divine” fourth on the UK’s all-time 60m U18 rankings list, trailing only 0.02 behind the 6.69 mark set by Mark Lewis-Francis in 1999.
But this isn’t Iheme’s first brush with greatness. Last summer, he already captured global attention when he ran a world age 14 best of 10.30 over 100m whilst being cheered on by his coach and mother.
Athletics clearly runs in the family’s blood as both of his parents – father Innocent and mother Nkiruku – represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. These are still early days, of course, but the teenager’s future is looking bright.
Divine Iheme (Pat Isaacs)
How did you get into athletics?
I first started running during primary school on sports day. I performed really well and I was overwhelmed by winning so many races again and again. Obviously my mum and dad both competed in track at such a high level so they influenced me to take it up from that day.
I would always do the 100m and 200m and I knew straight away that I liked those events and wanted to stick to them. I started running the 600m, too, but I realised it wasn’t my strong point so that’s how I found out that sprinting was best for me.
How did it feel to run the world age 15 best over 60m?
It felt amazing because now I can hold two titles to my name, but I am also aware that I don’t want to let it get to my head. It took me a while to realise that I had broken the record because I thought the record was 6.69 previously, I didn’t know that it was 6.74 instead. So, even when I beat it in the first round I thought I still had a bit more to go to beat it. But then after the race I saw an Instagram post saying that I had run the world record and that was the first I knew about it – I was so excited.
What is your biggest achievement so far?
Definitely the 100m world record because it was my first one, so it was even more special. I remember, on the day, the board showing the times was delayed and it took ages for anybody’s number to show up. I was just waiting, my heart was racing and then I saw 10.30 pop up and I started jumping and screaming and everyone around me was cheering. I’ll never forget it.
I actually knew I could run that fast because in my previous race I had run a 10.45 with +2.2 wind, so I knew that if I can run that fast with extra wind, then I could do it without it. I put my faith in God and it worked.
Divine Iheme (Pat Isaacs)
Do you feel any pressure now you hold these records?
I don’t feel much pressure when it comes down to the 100m and 60m because I know I am stronger in those than the 200m and I can perform much better. When I see my name getting so much media attention it makes me feel really good because I know that I have worked so hard for it and I’m glad that it’s all paying off for me and my family.
What is it like being coached by your mum?
It’s actually really tough because she is my coach at the end of the day and I can’t skip any sessions. When we are at the track, there is no mercy no matter what because she wants to see me perform at my best and she knows what I’m capable of. It’s really tough but that makes it really good because it gives me the motivation I need to keep going and to run faster.
Divine Iheme (England Athletics/Pat Scaasi)
Which athletes do you look up to?
I’ve always looked up to Usain Bolt. I always look back and watch all of his old races, especially when he is running in the relays because I love relays so much.
As for athletes who are still racing, I would have to say [Olympic 200m champion] Letsile Tebogo. He is someone I really look up to and feel inspired by. He is obviously really fast but he’s humble, too. He knows when to talk and when not to and he always knows when to do the right thing. I watched him at the Olympics and he is definitely one of my favourite athletes.
What are your next goals?
In the 100m I am hoping to break the age 15 world record so I can hold both the age 14 and 15 records at the same time. In the 200m I am aiming to run a sub-21 this season.
I know to always keep working hard no matter what, because you can’t achieve anything without working hard.
This feature first appeared in the March issue of AW magazine.
