The world of track and field has seen its fair share of prodigies. Though very few have sent shockwaves across the athletic community as this young Brit has done. But why not? After all, he has not only stunned the world with his raw speed but also broken the record of Usain Bolt himself. But it’s not just Bolt he surpassed. Current Olympic 100m champ Noah Lyles has also been thrown to the mixer by the youngster.

If you are still wondering who we are referring to, it’s none other than the British teen sensation, Divine “Lightning” Iheme. In his race for glory, he has not only surpassed the Lightning Bolt’s mark but has also outpaced Olympian Lyles at the same age. At just 15, the British prodigy clocked an astonishing 10.3 seconds in the 100 meters at the Lee Valley Athletics Meet, obliterating the previous record of 10.51 seconds set by Jamaica’s Sachin Dennis by 0.21 seconds.

To put this achievement into perspective, his recorded time was 0.27 seconds faster than what Bolt managed at the same age (10.57). Moreover, it was nearly a full second quicker than Lyles’ time of 11.27 seconds. These aren’t just small margins—they’re seismic shifts that highlight the extraordinary talent of this rising star.

Rising sprint star eyes greatness, fueled by legends and fierce competition

For many young athletes, setting records at such a young age could be overwhelming, but he is handling the attention with poise. Speaking about the impact Lyles has had on his development, he acknowledged the American sprinter’s role in fueling his confidence. “Noah Lyles is a great athlete, and he’s given me a lot of confidence to pursue this career, run quicker, get better times,” he said.

Iheme further stated in the interview with Sky Sports, “I feel like it gives me the confidence to break more and more barriers as I go through my journey.” With Lyles reigning as the fastest man in the world today, it’s no surprise that this rising star sees him as a source of inspiration.

Divine admitted. And if his record-breaking performances are anything to go by, the hard work is yielding remarkable results.

Beyond his admiration for Lyles, his love for the sport was ignited by watching Bolt’s iconic 19.19-second world record in the 200m. “I try my best to slingshot off the bend (in 200m) and continue holding first until I cross the finish line,” he explained. Such sound technical awareness, combined with his explosive speed, makes him a formidable sprinter in both distances.

His commitment to studying the greats is evident, with Allyson Felix’s legendary relay performances also serving as a major source of motivation. Despite the comparisons, the teenager isn’t content with being the next Lyles or Bolt—he wants to carve his own path. His nickname, “Lightning,” was given to him by his coach and mother, a nod to his electrifying speed.

However, his approach to racing is vastly different from the flamboyant style of Bolt or the showmanship of Lyles. “When I get there, it’s just locking in, just focusing on the race, and then after, I can obviously be happy, celebrate everything,” he said. “But when I’m on the start line, I just want to just focus, lock in—nothing else, just me, God, and the track.”

His ambitions don’t stop with age-group records. With his eyes set on the Junior World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he is determined to keep pushing boundaries. “Here in the UK, my plan is to break records at the Junior World Champs and obviously LA 2028, the next Olympics,” he revealed.

And if his trajectory continues, he may well be on track to challenge the biggest names in sprinting in just a few years. However, as Divine Iheme continues to follow a rising graph, he might also be facing formidable competition from another rising Australian phenom, who has already left his indelible mark on the tracks with his recent winning spree. I’m talking about none other than Gout Gout.

Is the track world ready for Divine going against Gout Gout

Going by the present scenario, the track world is no stranger to prodigies. And the current narrative has highly been impacted by, the 16-year-old Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout. The teenage phenom has sent shockwaves through the athletic world with performances that seem almost unreal. He has a blistering combination of speed, composure, and raw talent.

But Gout isn’t just shattering records but is already making historical triumphs. And now, with times that echo the legendary Usain Bolt’s early days, the comparisons are impossible to ignore. Just a few years ago, Gout Gout was a promising young talent with undeniable potential. And today, he stands as one of the most electrifying young sprinters the sport has seen in decades.

His recent exploits at the Australian All-Schools Athletics Championships only reinforced that notion. Clocking a staggering 10.04 seconds in the 100m, he not only shattered the national under-18 record but also cemented himself as the sixth fastest U18 sprinter in history. But the real statement came in the 200m—where he obliterated a 56-year-old Australian record, stopping the clock at an astonishing 20.04 seconds.

To put that in perspective, Bolt himself ran 20.13 at the same age. Gout Gout’s performances aren’t just numbers on a stopwatch. More so because they represent a seismic shift in the sprinting landscape. For years, rising stars have tried to follow in Bolt’s footsteps, but few have matched his teenage dominance. Now, Gout has done more than just match it—he’s surpassed it.

With every race, he’s proving that he isn’t just another young sprinter with potential. He’s undoubtedly a legitimate contender in the making. If his trajectory continues at this pace, the world may be witnessing the rise of track’s next global superstar—and a serious threat to the future of sprinting. For now, the track world is watching in awe. On one hand, Gout Gout has already been dubbed the rising Bolt.

On the other hand, Divine ‘Lightning’ Iheme has already made history, outrunning both Bolt and Lyles at his age. But this is just the beginning. With every race, the prodigy would just continue to prove that they are not just following in the icon’s footsteps but rather are blazing a trail of their own. And we already can’t keep calm to see these young lions face off in the upcoming days.