The 15-year-old sprinter has captured international consideration since operating international bests over 60m and 100m
Divine Iheme is a reputation you’ll want to keep in mind. The Oxfordshire-based sprinter has just lately written his title into the historical past books because the quickest 15-year-old ever over 60m, breaking the long-standing report of 6.74 set by means of J-Mee Samuels again in 2003. Now not most effective did Iheme destroy the report as soon as, however he did it two times, operating occasions of 6.71 and six.72 on the Lee Valley BFTTA Indoor Collection in January.
This now puts the athlete who’s sometimes called “Lightning Divine” fourth on the United Kingdom’s all-time 60m U18 scores record, trailing most effective 0.02 in the back of the 6.69 mark set by means of Mark Lewis-Francis in 1999.
However this isn’t Iheme’s first brush with greatness. Ultimate summer season, he already captured international consideration when he ran a global age 14 perfect of 10.30 over 100m while being cheered on by means of his trainer and mom.
Athletics obviously runs within the circle of relatives’s blood as either one of his oldsters – father Blameless and mom Nkiruku – represented Nigeria on the 2002 Commonwealth Video games in Manchester. Those are nonetheless early days, in fact, however the youngster’s long term is having a look vibrant.
Divine Iheme (Pat Isaacs)
How did you get into athletics?
I first began operating right through number one college on sports activities day. I carried out in point of fact neatly and I used to be beaten by means of successful such a lot of races over and over again. Clearly my mom and dad each competed in monitor at one of these top stage in order that they influenced me to take it up from that day.
I might all the time do the 100m and 200m and I knew right away that I preferred the ones occasions and sought after to stick with them. I began operating the 600m, too, however I realised it wasn’t my robust level in order that’s how I discovered that sprinting used to be perfect for me.
How did it really feel to run the sector age 15 perfect over 60m?
It felt superb as a result of now I will dangle two titles to my title, however I’m additionally mindful that I don’t wish to let it get to my head. It took me some time to grasp that I had damaged the report as a result of I believed the report used to be 6.69 up to now, I didn’t know that it used to be 6.74 as an alternative. So, even if I beat it within the first spherical I believed I nonetheless had somewhat extra to visit beat it. However then after the race I noticed an Instagram submit pronouncing that I had run the sector report and that used to be the primary I knew about it – I used to be so excited.
What’s your largest fulfillment thus far?
For sure the 100m international report as it used to be my first one, so it used to be much more particular. I keep in mind, at the day, the board appearing the days used to be not on time and it took ages for any one’s quantity to turn up. I used to be simply ready, my center used to be racing after which I noticed 10.30 pop up and I began leaping and screaming and everybody round me used to be cheering. I’ll by no means overlook it.
I in truth knew I may run that speedy as a result of in my earlier race I had run a ten.45 with +2.2 wind, so I knew that if I will run that speedy with additional wind, then I may do it with out it. I put my religion in God and it labored.
Divine Iheme (Pat Isaacs)
Do you are feeling any power now you dangle those data?
I don’t really feel a lot power when it comes all the way down to the 100m and 60m as a result of I do know I’m more potent in the ones than the 200m and I will carry out significantly better. After I see my title getting such a lot media consideration it makes me really feel in point of fact excellent as a result of I do know that I’ve labored so arduous for it and I’m happy that it’s all paying off for me and my circle of relatives.
What’s it like being coached by means of your mum?
It’s in truth in point of fact tricky as a result of she is my trainer on the finish of the day and I will’t skip any periods. After we are on the monitor, there is not any mercy it doesn’t matter what as a result of she desires to peer me carry out at my perfect and she or he is aware of what I’m in a position to. It’s in point of fact tricky however that makes it in point of fact excellent as it provides me the incentive I wish to stay going and to run sooner.
Divine Iheme (England Athletics/Pat Scaasi)
Which athletes do you glance as much as?
I’ve all the time appeared as much as Usain Bolt. I all the time glance again and watch all of his outdated races, particularly when he’s operating within the relays as a result of I really like relays such a lot.
As for athletes who’re nonetheless racing, I must say [Olympic 200m champion] Letsile Tebogo. He’s anyone I in point of fact glance as much as and really feel impressed by means of. He’s clearly in point of fact speedy however he’s humble, too. He is aware of when to speak and when to not and he all the time is aware of when to do the proper factor. I watched him on the Olympics and he’s unquestionably one in all my favorite athletes.
What are your subsequent targets?
Within the 100m I hope to wreck the age 15 international report so I will dangle each the age 14 and 15 data on the identical time. Within the 200m I’m aiming to run a sub-21 this season.
I do know to all the time stay operating arduous it doesn’t matter what, as a result of you’ll be able to’t reach anything else with out operating arduous.
This option first seemed within the March factor of AW mag.
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