New Noah Lyles’, 14-Year-Old Sprinter Reveals Track & Field Star’s Major Role in His Budding Career..
The 14-year-old track and field star Divine Iheme appears destined for greatness. At 10.3 seconds, he holds the world record for his age group in the 100 meters. The fact that he is faster than Noah Lyles was at his age is what sets him apart. Noah, the current 100-meter leader, could only manage 11.27 seconds at 14. Additionally, it ranked him as the third fastest under-18 athlete, with Jeff Erious of France and Teddy Wilson of the UK at the top of the list. Consequently, it is a significant accomplishment that portends a successful athletic future because he has been labeled the “new Noah Lyles” by some.
Divine Iheme’s abilities come possibly genetically to him as both his parents Innocent Iheme and Nkiruku Iheme both represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The family lives in the UK at Oxfordshire where Nkiruku runs her own gym, also coaching her son. Divine is said to have studied numerous athletes closely to improve himself, including Noah Lyles.
Recently, he talked to Sky Sports about how watching the American sprinter race constantly has given him the confidence to run better. He said, “Noah Lyles is a great athlete and he’s given me a lot of confidence to pursue this career, run quicker, get a better time. I feel like it gives me the confidence to break more and more barriers as I go through my journey.” He definitely has the ability to do that, considering the records he’s broken
The UK athlete says that when he first saw his record, he could not believe it. The moment was so surreal that he could barely control himself. “When I first saw it, I was in utter shock, I couldn’t believe it! I was jumping about, running around, I just felt so happy but I couldn’t have done it without god,” he said. Divine might have to start believing it as the road for him is long and he’s bound to break many records along the way. It also seems like he’s only inspired by the absolute best in the sport like Noah Lyles, Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix.
Talking about Usain Bolt, Divine Iheme said that the Jamaican’s 19.19 seconds world record 200m run was the first event he ever watched. He said, “I try my best to slingshot off the bend [in 200m] and continue holding first until I cross the finish line.” The athlete also grew up getting inspired from Allyson Felix’s relays. Of course, there’s always the Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles to be inspired from.
Talking about Usain Bolt, Divine Iheme said that the Jamaican’s 19.19 seconds world record 200m run was the first event he ever watched. He said, “I try my best to slingshot off the bend [in 200m] and continue holding first until I cross the finish line.” The athlete also grew up getting inspired from Allyson Felix’s relays. Of course, there’s always the Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles to be inspired from.
Divine Iheme would also not be the first one to be inspired from Noah Lyles. The American’s outspoken nature about his problems has helped numerous people around the country, for which he has been praised. This was his mother’s dream when he started excelling in track.
How Noah Lyles’ fulfilled his mother’s dream of inspiring more children
oah Lyles used to suffer from intense asthma since the age of three. He used to regularly be admitted in the hospital until the age of seven because of attacks caused by it. Thus, when he proposed the idea of a career in track and field, his mother, Keisha Caine, was not fully on board with it. For her, her son’s well being is always the first priority. Considering his problems since his childhood with both his physical and mental health, her concerns were not misplaced at all. But, she slowly decided to support him, after realising his talent.Slowly, she became his biggest fan, supporting him through thick and thin
In an interview after the Olympics, Keisha talked about how she wants her son’s story to inspire children all around the world that despite their difficulties, they can do what they want. She said, “I just want our experience to encourage somebody else. That kid might have asthma or ADHD or dyslexia. Or a single mom. Like we want you to know that when you start is when you finish.”
There is definite proof that Noah Lyles is indeed inspiring another generation. Recently, a post on X showed a special education classroom was seen having a life sized Noah Lyles poster. These special children who are fighting battles of their own every day, get inspired by an athlete who not only won ever his own, he achieved his biggest dream of becoming a top athlete. Keisha Caine must be proud of what her son has achieved on court and off court as he’s a brilliant personality in both.
