Divine Iheme Biography: Age, Parents, Height, Net Worth, Records, Olympics

Divine Ebubechukwu Iheme, nicknamed “Lightning,” is a British sprinter hailed as one of the most promising talents in track and field, known for shattering age-group records in the 100m and 60m.

Born in Oxford to Nigerian parents who competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, he trains under his mother’s guidance at the PWD Athletic Academy.

Profile

• Full Name: Divine Ebubechukwu Iheme
• Stage Name: Divine Ebubechukwu Iheme
• Born: 1, October 2009
• Age: 15 years old
• Birthplace: Oxford, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Sprinter
• Height: 1.75m
• Parents: Innocent Iheme, Nkiruka Anu Iheme
• Siblings: Praise Iheme, Wisdom Iheme
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $100,000

Early Life and Education

Divine Ebubechukwu Iheme was born on October 1, 2009, in Oxford, England, to Innocent Iheme and Nkiruka Anu Iheme, both former Nigerian athletes who competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Raised in Radley, Oxfordshire, alongside his older brothers, Praise and Wisdom, Divine showed early athletic promise, influenced by his parents’ sporting legacy.

Currently a student, he balances academics with a rigorous training schedule, excelling in business studies and physical education, with a particular interest in sports psychology. His ethnicity is Nigerian-British, and he attends church regularly, reflecting his Christian faith.

Career

Divine Iheme started sprinting at age seven, initially dabbling in gymnastics and other sports before focusing on athletics in 2022 at Radley Athletics Club. Coached by his mother, Nkiruka, a former sprinter and British Army veteran, he won the 100m at the 2023 English Schools Athletics Championships at age 13 with a time of 11.7 seconds, sparking his commitment to the sport.

In April 2024, he claimed the 100m and 200m sprint double at the English Athletics Indoor Age-Group Championships, setting UK best times for his age. His breakthrough came in July 2024, when he ran a UK under-14 record of 10.56 seconds in the 100m at the England Athletics U15 & U17 Open Championships.

Iheme’s meteoric rise continued in August 2024, when he smashed the world age-14 100m record with a 10.30-second performance at Lee Valley, surpassing Jamaica’s Sachin Dennis’ previous mark of 10.51 seconds. This time placed him third on the European U18 all-time list, behind Teddy Wilson and Jeff Erius, and was nearly a second faster than Noah Lyles’ best at the same age.

In January 2025, Iheme broke the 60m world record for 15-year-olds twice in one day at the BFTTA Indoor Series, clocking 6.71 and 6.72 seconds, eclipsing J-Mee Samuels’ 2003 record of 6.74. These feats positioned him fourth on the UK U18 60m all-time rankings, just 0.02 seconds off Mark Lewis-Francis’ 1999 record.

Iheme continues to train four times a week at the PWD Athletic Academy, drawing inspiration from sprinting icons like Usain Bolt, Allyson Felix, and Letsile Tebogo. His 2025 season included another standout performance at the English Schools Athletics Championships, where he targeted further records.

Known for his unique running style, which he describes as “God-given,” Iheme aims to lower his 100m personal best to 10.2 seconds and achieve a sub-21-second 200m. Committed to representing Great Britain, he aspires to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with his mother’s disciplined coaching and family support driving his pursuit of global sprinting glory.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @lightning_iheme

Personal Life

Divine Ebubechukwu Iheme is single, with no publicly confirmed romantic partners or children. Living in Radley, Oxfordshire, he remains close to his parents, Innocent and Nkiruka, and brothers, Praise and Wisdom, who are involved in football and athletics.

His mother’s strict coaching, shaped by her nine-year British Army service, emphasizes discipline, with training withheld if homework is incomplete.

Net Worth

Divine Ebubechukwu Iheme has an estimated net worth of approximately $100,000. His income stems primarily from prize money from age-group championships, such as the English Schools and England Athletics events, and potential early sponsorships tied to his rising profile.