British Sprinter ‘Faster Than Usain Bolt’ Is Son of Two Athletics Stars
A 16-year-old British sprinter that is 'faster than Usain Bolt' has the advantage of being the son of two former athletics stars.
Divine Iheme has made headlines through the remarkable times he has set at a young age.
He first announced himself on the athletics scene in August 2024, clocking 10.30 seconds in the 100m at just 14 years old.
That performance smashed the under-15 world record previously held by Jamaican Sachin Dennis, who ran 10.51 seconds.
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Iheme's time was also quicker than many of the fastest sprinters in history managed at the same age.
By comparison, it was almost a full second faster than eight-time world champion Noah Lyles ran at 14.
Usain Bolt's best 100m time as a 15-year-old was 10.57 seconds, while Australian sprint star Gout Gout recorded a similar mark.
Iheme's early achievements have left athletics fans wondering just how far he could go in the sport.
He also benefits from an elite athletics background, with both of his parents former Nigerian international sprinters.
His father, Innocent Iheme, and mother, Nkiruka Anu, represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Anu, who also coaches her son, has said she knew early on that he was destined for big things.
Speaking to BBC Sport in July, she said: "I knew when he was in my tummy.
"When I was pregnant, he kept on kicking.
"I am an athlete, his dad and my dad [were athletes].
"When he entered primary school, that's when we finally said: 'Yes, we got a talent here we have to nurture.'"
In January, Iheme set a 60m world record for his age group.
His time of 6.71 seconds broke J-Mee Samuels' long-standing mark of 6.74, which had stood since 2003.
That run also placed him fourth on the all-time list for British athletes under the age of 18, just 0.02 seconds shy of the record held by Mark Lewis-Francis.
While it remains impossible to predict what Iheme will ultimately achieve, the young sprinter, nicknamed Lightning, has spoken openly about his admiration for eight-time Olympic champion Bolt.
He told Sky Sports in January: "I've watched quite a lot of Usain Bolt's races and Allyson Felix's 200m, 400m and relays.
"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."
Topics: Athletics, Usain Bolt
James Taylor