British Sprinter Who Beat Usain Bolt's World Record Sets an Even Faster Time
A British sprinter who beat Usain Bolt's world record has now set an even faster time.
Divine Iheme,15, has already shown himself to be one of the brightest young talents in athletics, clocking some of the fastest times ever recorded for his age group.
The sprinter, who is from Radley in Oxfordshire, first made headlines last August, when he broke the under-15 world record for the 100m. Aged just 14, Iheme ran a hugely impressive 10.30 seconds, immediately leading to comparisons with some of the sport's biggest names.
And just three weeks ago, he improved on that personal best by a hundredth of a second, finishing in 10.29 seconds.
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On Instagram, he wrote: "So glad to have ran a PB, it can ONLY BE GOD!, We give him all the glory and adoration.
"Still have a few more competitions left stay tuned."
Iheme's times at just 14 years old compare are extraordinary when compared to elite sprinters at the same age.
For example, even the legendary Usain Bolt had never run faster than 10.57 seconds at 14. But he went on to break the 100m world record three times, with his mark of 9.58 seconds set at the 2009 World Championships still standing.
Noah Lyles, who recently claimed two golds and a bronze at the World Championships, also never ran as fast as Iheme at that age.
Australia's 17-year-old sensation Gout Gout, who made headlines for equalling a mark Bolt set as a youngster, was also not as quick as the Briton.
Iheme's personal best is so impressive that he could have even finished on the podium at the national championships in 2024, showing his immense potential.
He told The Telegraph: "I remember on the day the timer was delayed. I was crouched, waiting. I saw 10.3 and I started screaming and shouting and running around. I was really surprised.
"The commentator started going crazy. It was an amazing experience. I loved it."
Iheme's mother and coach, Nkiruka, said that she always knew her son would be a talented athlete.
She told the BBC: "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."
The young sprinter has continued to progress, recently setting the 60m indoor world record over the summer, with a time of 10.41 seconds. Looking ahead, Iheme has his sights firmly set on the Olympics and ultimately winning medals in both the 100m and 200m.
Topics: Athletics, Usain Bolt
James Taylor