Divine Iheme has set UK finest occasions for the 100m and 200m this 12 months; the 14-year-old will goal a 100m world report within the Nationwide Championship this weekend; he was impressed to grow to be a sprinter after finding out footage of Usain Bolt
By Richard Damerell
Final Up to date: 24/07/24 3:33pm
Divine Iheme will goal a 100 metres world report within the Nationwide Championship
If you’re the quickest 14-year-old in Britain you want a becoming nickname.
“Everybody knows him as ‘Lightning’ Divine, that’s who he is,” coach Nkiruku Iheme instructed Sky Sports activities whereas referring to her son, Divine Iheme, a teenage dash sensation.
After setting UK finest occasions for the 100m and 200m in April, ‘Lightning’ Divine was singled out as a possible monitor star of the longer term.
Divine beat his personal 100m report final month with a time of 10.65 seconds and has blazed over the road even faster, though he didn’t attain the report books on these events as a consequence of wind-assisted races.
Iheme has the quickest occasions within the UK for 100m and 200m in his age group
However this weekend, whereas elite sprinters are priming themselves on the Paris Olympic Video games, Iheme can be powering in the direction of a world report for his age group on the Nationwide Championship.
“He looks at the record and says, ‘I want to beat that’,” stated Nkiruku. “He says his target is to beat the world junior U15 [record].
“The world junior report is 10.51 and he is run thrice 10.46, however as a result of the wind was 0.2 it isn’t authorized, so he has the capability to do this.”
The Oxfordshire-based athlete also caught the eye in a relay event when he effortlessly overhauled a significant lead for a rival county with a blistering final leg.
He scorched to victory in a 200m heat by around seven metres while winning the sprint double in the England Athletics indoor championships.
Divine studies footage of legendary sprint stars to assist his startling progression but insists he does not attempt to imitate their explosive running methods.
Usain Bolt’s legendary achievements impressed Iheme to grow to be a sprinter
“I’ve watched various Usain Bolt’s races and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m and relays,” he told Sky Sports.
“Most likely the primary race I watched, was his [Bolt’s] 200m world report, the 19.19, and I used to be impressed 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 view, I believe my [running style] is exclusive and pure. I do not attempt to mannequin it from anybody. It is only a God-given expertise.”
Mother Nkiruku and father Innocent Iheme were both successful athletes, who represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
“The velocity he has now in case you are making an attempt to place it into perspective. If he continues like this, we’re him to finish his season with 10.4, 10.3 [seconds], as a result of he has obtained every thing,” said Nkiruku, who runs the PWD Athletic Academy.
“The velocity is there. The method is there.
“He looks at many other athletes and says, ‘I want to beat that person,’ and he looks at records and says, ‘I want to beat that.'”
Divine admits his pursuit of a full-time athletics profession has been “really tough” for himself and his household, however has acquired help from Michael Ofo of SOS Administration, who additionally guides the profession of British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley.
The 14-year-old is aiming for a 100m world report this weekend
“I always try to do my parents proud. I want to make sure that in the future, they can just sit back and relax while I can get them gifts, buy them a house, buy them things for their future,” stated Divine.
“The goal is to try and make them happy, make them live a great life.”
If Divine continues to excel over two distances, decreasing extra nationwide data, then Nigeria and Nice Britain are prone to search out the proficient teenager.
However Divine has already made that call.
“Well, even though I’m from Nigeria, I was born here. I’ve had free education, free school meals. Everyone here has been taking care of me, child support, all this stuff, so I feel like I’m going to run for Great Britain, because they have helped me the most.”
Dina Asher-Smith can be pursuing Olympics medals in Paris
Dina Asher-Smith, a GB Olympic medal hope, has offered phrases of encouragement to Divine, who can be an avid spectator as Britain’s Olympic squad goal medals throughout the channel.
And when the world’s best sprinters line up for the 100m ultimate, Divine can be watching, flexing just a few quick twitch muscle tissues, and permitting himself to visualise golden glory.
“I can envision myself being on the start line,” he stated.
“Just focusing. Ready to run the race of my life.”
