At just 15, Divine Iheme is shattering sprint records and drawing comparisons with legends like Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles. Dive in to see how the youngster stacks up!
Divine Iheme, a 15-year-old British sprinting phenom, has hit the spotlight and is rapidly capturing the attention of the global athletics community.
Following his record-breaking performances, the youngster has stirred comparisons with the fastest man alive Usain Bolt and reigning Olympic champion Noah Lyles.
His meteoric rise signals the birth of a potential future superstar and just like Gout Gout, his star is shining brighter than ever as he seeks to make a mark on the global scene.
This comprehensive article by Pulse Sports Kenya delves deep into Divine Iheme’s early life, record-breaking achievements, training regime, and how he stacks up against Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles.
In a world where speed defines athletic prowess, Divine Iheme has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in sprinting.
Divine Iheme early life and background
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Divine Iheme competing during the England U15 Track and Field Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. Image source: Imago
Divine Iheme was born on October 1, 2009, in Nigeria and later moved to Radley, Oxfordshire, in the United Kingdom.
He grew up in a family with a strong athletic pedigree, that influenced his journey to being one of the greatest sprinters of his age.
Both of his parents represented Nigeria in athletics during the 2002 Commonwealth Games, making sports an integral part of his upbringing.
Divine’s mother, Nkiruka Anu, has always been very instrumental in shaping his career and also played a pivotal role in his early development.
She is a former Nigerian sprinter who later transitioned into coaching after a distinguished athletic career. She has also achieved greater milestones including founding the PWD (Power, Will, and Drive) Athletic Academy in Oxfordshire.
The academy has nurtured Divine Iheme by providing him with the structure, training, and support necessary to excel.
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Divine Iheme was first introduced to sprinting at the Radley Athletics Club, training under the very watchful eyes of seasoned coaches.
By the age of 14, Divine Iheme was already making headlines, registering times that surpassed the previous records held by some of the greatest sprinters including Noah Lyles and Usain Bolt. His achievements at such a young age are nothing short of extraordinary.
At just 14 years old, Divine clocked an astonishing 10.30 seconds in the 100m during an event held at Lee Valley in August 2024.
The time he clocked not only broke previous records for his age group but also positioned him among the fastest young sprinters. At the same age, legends like Usain Bolt had a personal best of 10.57 seconds.
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Divine Iheme competing during the England U15 Track and Field Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. Image source: Imago
His dominance is not limited to the 100m since he also recorded a personal best of 6.76 seconds in the 60m at Lee Valley in December. This time was just 0.02 seconds slower than the British U18 record set by Mark Lewis-Francis back in 1999.
In January 2025, he improved upon this performance by clocking 6.72 and 6.71 seconds in consecutive races at the BFTTA Indoor Series in London, setting a new world-best mark for a 15-year-old over 60m.
How does Divine Iheme compare to Usain Bolt?
One of the most frequent comparisons in the world of athletics is between emerging talents and established legends.
In this context, Divine Iheme’s early achievements naturally invite comparisons with Usain Bolt, widely regarded as the fastest man in history.
At the age of 14, Bolt recorded a 100m time of approximately 10.57 seconds—a time that Divine Iheme has already eclipsed with his 10.30-second run.
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Usain Bolt in action at a past race. Image source: Imago
Moreover, Bolt’s career saw a rapid acceleration in his late teenage years and by the time he turned 15, he had improved significantly, recording times that would later culminate in his world records of 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
Divine Iheme’s current trajectory, marked by record-breaking performances at such a young age, suggests that he could follow a similar path of rapid improvement and global dominance.
Usain Bolt’s tall stature and long stride played a crucial role in his record-breaking performances. Although Divine is still growing and developing physically, early indicators point to a promising blend of speed, agility, and an efficient running technique that could, in time, rival Bolt’s iconic style.
The early comparisons between Divine Iheme and Usain Bolt are compelling and if the youngster continues to develop at the current pace, with the right blend of training, nutrition, and competitive exposure, he could very well challenge Bolt’s legacy in the coming years.
How does Divine Iheme compare to Noah Lyles?
Noah Lyles has emerged as one of the most exciting sprinters of the current generation following his Olympic success and impressive personal bests.
Noah Lyles, known for his explosive speed, has posted a personal best time of 9.79 seconds in the 100m and 19.31 seconds in the 200m.
When examining Lyles’ performance at the age of 14, it becomes evident that Divine Iheme’s 10.30-second 100m run is notably faster.
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Noah Lyles poses with gold medal after winning the 100m in 9.83 during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Image source: Imago
Noah Lyles’ improvements came later in his career and culminated in his recent Olympic triumph. Divine Iheme’s training, led by his mother and a dedicated coaching team at the PWD Athletic Academy, mirrors many of Noah Lyles’ training elements.
His regimen is characterised by a mix of sprint drills, strength and conditioning exercises, and technical sessions.
While Lyles has already established himself on the global stage with consistent performances in major international competitions, Divine Iheme is still in the early stages of his career.
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From a technical standpoint, both Divine Iheme and Noah Lyles exhibit explosive acceleration and a powerful drive phase out of the blocks.
As Divine continues to train and compete, observers will be keen to see how his natural ability and technical finesse evolve in comparison to Noah Lyles.
Divine Iheme training, coaching, and support system
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Divine Iheme poses for a photo after setting record. Image source: Imago
The success of any elite athlete is often built on the foundation of robust coaching, rigorous training regimens, and a supportive environment. Divine Iheme’s journey is no exception.
His mother, Nkiruka Anu, has been instrumental in shaping his career with her background as a former athlete and extensive experience in competitive sports.
She brings a wealth of knowledge and a deeply personal commitment to Divine’s development. Her decision to establish the PWD Athletic Academy in Oxfordshire was driven by a desire to nurture young talent in a supportive, structured environment.
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The teenager is now fourth on the UK U18 60m rankings after breaking a 20-year-old world age group record.
The comprehensive approach in training mirrors the training philosophies of established sprinters like Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles.
Balancing academics and athletics
At just 15 years old, Divine manages to balance a rigorous training schedule with academic responsibilities.
This balancing act is no small feat and speaks volumes about his time management skills and personal discipline.
The pressures of being labelled a prodigy can be immense and distract an athlete from focusing on what’s important.
Divine Iheme has managed to remain grounded and focused amid the rising expectations. His training environment emphasizes not only physical excellence but also mental well-being.
This mental fortitude is reminiscent of the psychological preparedness seen in elite athletes like Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles, both of whom have spoken about the importance of mental strength in their careers.
Handling pressure and expectations
As Divine’s profile continues to rise, so do the expectations from fans, coaches, and the media and the ability to perform consistently under pressure is what separates good athletes from great ones.
Divine’s calm demeanour and focus during competitions indicate that he is well-prepared to handle the challenges that lie ahead.
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Noah Lyles has shared invaluable advise with Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout on handling pressure and criticism.
The support system provided by his family and coaching staff plays a crucial role in ensuring that the pressure is managed effectively, allowing him to maintain peak performance levels.
Athletics experts from around the world have been quick to take notice of Divine Iheme’s extraordinary talent.
His performances have sparked debates on his potential to become one of the fastest sprinters in history and join the list of icons including Noah Lyles and Usain Bolt.
A new era in sprinting
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Divine Iheme poses for a photo after finishing a race. Image source: Imago
The emergence of such a prodigious talent not only promises to elevate the sport but also to inspire a new generation of young athletes who dare to dream big.
The comparisons with Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles serve not as definitive judgments but as benchmarks of excellence that Divine Iheme is poised to challenge.
