The 15-year-old sprinter has captured international consideration since working international bests over 60m and 100m
Divine Iheme is a reputation it would be best to take note. 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 document of 6.74 set through J-Mee Samuels again in 2003. No longer best did Iheme spoil the document as soon as, however he did it two times, working 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 best 0.02 at the back of the 6.69 mark set through Mark Lewis-Francis in 1999.
However this isn’t Iheme’s first brush with greatness. Closing summer time, he already captured international consideration when he ran an international age 14 highest of 10.30 over 100m while being cheered on through 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, after all, however the teen’s long run is having a look shiny.
Divine Iheme (Pat Isaacs)
How did you get into athletics?
I first began working all the way through number one faculty on sports activities day. I carried out actually smartly and I used to be crushed through successful such a lot of races over and over again. Clearly my ma and pa each competed in observe at this type of prime degree in order that they influenced me to take it up from that day.
I might at all times do the 100m and 200m and I knew in an instant that I appreciated the ones occasions and sought after to stick with them. I began working the 600m, too, however I realised it wasn’t my robust level in order that’s how I came upon that sprinting was once highest for me.
How did it really feel to run the arena age 15 highest over 60m?
It felt superb as a result of now I will be able to hang two titles to my title, however I’m additionally conscious that I don’t need to let it get to my head. It took me some time to understand that I had damaged the document as a result of I believed the document was once 6.69 prior to now, I didn’t know that it was once 6.74 as an alternative. So, even if I beat it within the first spherical I believed I nonetheless had a little bit extra to visit beat it. However then after the race I noticed an Instagram put up announcing that I had run the arena document and that was once the primary I knew about it – I used to be so excited.
What’s your largest success up to now?
Undoubtedly the 100m international document as it was once my first one, so it was once much more particular. I take note, at the day, the board appearing the days was once not on time and it took ages for any one’s quantity to turn up. I used to be simply ready, my middle was once racing after which I noticed 10.30 pop up and I began leaping and screaming and everybody round me was once cheering. I’ll by no means omit it.
I if truth be told knew I may just run that rapid 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 be able to run that rapid with additional wind, then I may just do it with out it. I put my religion in God and it labored.
Divine Iheme (Pat Isaacs)
Do you’re feeling any power now you hang those information?
I don’t really feel a lot power when it comes right 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 be able to carry out a lot better. After I see my title getting such a lot media consideration it makes me really feel actually excellent as a result of I do know that I’ve labored so arduous for it and I’m satisfied that it’s all paying off for me and my circle of relatives.
What’s it like being coached through your mum?
It’s if truth be told actually tricky as a result of she is my trainer on the finish of the day and I will be able to’t skip any periods. After we are on the observe, there’s no mercy it doesn’t matter what as a result of she desires to peer me carry out at my highest and he or she is aware of what I’m in a position to. It’s actually tricky however that makes it actually 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 at all times appeared as much as Usain Bolt. I at all times glance again and watch all of his outdated races, particularly when he’s working within the relays as a result of I like relays such a lot.
As for athletes who’re nonetheless racing, I must say [Olympic 200m champion] Letsile Tebogo. He’s any person I actually glance as much as and really feel impressed through. He’s clearly actually rapid however he’s humble, too. He is aware of when to speak and when to not and he at all times is aware of when to do the proper factor. I watched him on the Olympics and he’s unquestionably considered one of my favorite athletes.
What are your subsequent objectives?
Within the 100m I hope to damage the age 15 international document so I will be able to hang each the age 14 and 15 information on the identical time. Within the 200m I’m aiming to run a sub-21 this season.
I do know to at all times stay running arduous it doesn’t matter what, as a result of you’ll’t succeed in anything else with out running arduous.
This selection first seemed within the March factor of AW mag.
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