Divine Iheme has once again impressed this season after running a scintillating 6.76 over 60m at the BFTTA Indoor Series in Lee Valley (October 7).
The British teenager not only reduced his personal best from 6.94 to 6.76 but he wasn’t that far off Mark Lewis-Francis’ British under-18 60m record of 6.69.
If Iheme was to better Lewis-Francis’ junior mark – set in 1999 – during this winter season, then he will also become the fastest 15-year-old over 60m in history.
The current record-holder is American J-Mee Samuels, who clocked 6.74 at 15 in 2003.
6.76s!!! At FIFTEEN!! 🔥
Divine Iheme is INSANE!!The 15 year old runs a rapid 6.76s for 60m despite just being fifteen years of age.
He missed J-Mee Samuels’ Age-15 record by 0.02 – a record that’s been held for 21 years. pic.twitter.com/lX4KdV1tyy
— World Athletics Hub (@wldathleticshub) December 8, 2024
Iheme, who is also known as ‘Lightning’ Divine’, made global headlines this summer after clocking a world age 14 best of 10.30 over 100m.
That run saw Iheme sky-rocket up the international junior rankings and he is now third on the European U18 all-time 100m list. Only Britain’s Teddy Wilson (10.26) and France’s Jeff Erius (10.27) have gone faster.
The 14-year-old is coached by mum Nkiruku Iheme, who is the founder of the PWD Athletic Academy – created to help kids realize their potential through athletics – in Oxfordshire.
Both of his parents – his dad is Innocent Iheme – represented Nigeria at international level, including the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
The teenager has also previously stated that he watched and studied both Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix growing up.
The Oxfordshire-based athlete told Sky Sports earlier this year: “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] world 200m world record, the 19.19, and I was inspired to pursue the dream.”
In that same interview Iheme, who was born in Nigeria, added that he wanted to represent Great Britain in the future “because they have helped me the most”.
SOURCE: athleticsweekly.com