The British teenager came close to breaking Mark Lewis-Francis’ British under-18 60m record at Lee Valley.
Divine Ihem has impressed once again this season, running 6.76 in the 60m at the BFTTA Indoor Series in Lee Valley (October 7).
Not only did the British teenager lower his personal best from 6.94 to 6.76, he wasn’t too far off Mark Lewis-Francis’ British Under-18 60m record of 6.69.
If Ihem were to break the Lewis-Francis junior mark set in 1999 this winter, he would also become the fastest 15-year-old 60-meter in history.
The current record holder is the American Jay-Me Samuels, who reached 6.74 in 2003 at 15.
6.76 seconds!!! At fifteen!!
God Ihem is crazy!!
A 15-year-old runs a 60m dash of 6.76 seconds despite being only fifteen years old.
She missed J-Mee Samuels’ Age-15 record by 0.02, a record that has stood for 21 years. pic.twitter.com/lX4KdV1tyy
— World Athletics Hub (@wldathleticshub) December 8, 2024
Ayhem, also known as ‘Lightning’ Divine’, made global headlines later this summer Clock world 14 year best 10.30 from 100m.
The run catapulted Iheme up the international junior rankings and he is now third on the all-time European under-18 100m list, behind only Britain’s Teddy Wilson (10.26) and France’s Geoff Erius (10.27).
The 14-year-old is coached by mum Nkiruku Ihem, who is the founder of the PWD Athletic Academy, which is set up to help children reach their potential through athletics in Oxfordshire.
Both his parents, father Innocent Ihem, have represented Nigeria at international level, including the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Divine Ihem (Pat Isaacs)
The teenager has also previously stated that he watched and studied both Usain Bolt and Alison Felix growing up.
The athlete living in Oxfordshire told Sky Sports earlier this year“I’ve watched quite a lot of Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m and relays.
“Probably the first race I watched was his (Bolt’s) 200m world record of 19.19 and I was inspired to make the dream come true.”
In the same interview, Ihem, who was born in Nigeria, added that he wants to represent Great Britain in the future “because they have helped me the most”.
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