Teenage sprint star Gout Gout could soon be rivalled by a British athletics prodigy.
The Australian enjoyed a breakout year in 2024 which saw him compared to the legendary Usain Bolt.
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However, 15-year-old Divine Iheme has now emerged as a potential rival to Gout in the future.
Iheme broke the 60m world record for his age group on Sunday at the BFTTA Indoor Series in London.
The teenager from Oxford clocked times of 6.71secs and 6.72secs as he smashed the previous record, which had stood since 2003.
As a result, the youngster is now the fourth fastest under-18 Brit of all-time across 60m.
Iheme is also closing in on breaking Mark Lewis-Francis’ British record for the age group of 6.69secs.
His latest achievement follows a stunning time of 10.3secs in the 100m last year whilst still aged 14.
The time was quicker than that of Olympic champion Noah Lyles at the same age, with comparisons already being drawn between the pair.
Iheme told Sky Sports this week: “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.”
Meanwhile, Iheme has previously revealed how eight-time Olympic champion Bolt has inspired him on the track.
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He explained: “I’ve watched quite a lot of Usain Bolt’s races and Allyson Felix’s 200m, 400m and relays.
“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.”
Iheme’s record-breaking performance in London follows the success of Gout last year.
The 17-year-old smashed a string of continental records for his age as well as the national 200m record in Australia.
Gout’s year also included a silver medal in the event at the World Under-20 Championships in Peru.
His time of 20.6secs in the final was quicker than a 15-year-old Bolt clocked in the same competition 22 years earlier.
