‘Lightning’ Divine Iheme targets World U15 record, won’t compete for Nigeria!

Divine Iheme, the son of former Nigeria internationals, Nkiruku and Innocent Iheme is targeting the World 100m U15 record this weekend at the British Championships.

Nicknamed ‘Lightning’ Divine, the 14 year old wants to run faster than the 10.51 world record for U15 boys and feels he can achieve that this weekend.

He holds United Kingdom’s best times for the 100m and 200m this year and told Sky Sports he was inspired to become a sprinter after studying footage of Usain Bolt

“I’ve watched quite a lot of Usain Bolt’s races and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m and relays,” he told Sky Sports.

“Probably the first race I watched, was his [Bolt’s] 200m world record, the 19.19, and I was inspired 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 opinion, I think my [running style] is unique and natural. I don’t try to model it from anyone. It’s just a God-given talent.”

‘Lightning’ Divine knows he will face a decision to choose whether to run for Nigeria and Great Britain if he continues to excel and set records but he says he has already made that decision.

“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,’ the 14 year old.