British sprint sensation Divine Iheme has sent shockwaves through the athletics world after smashing the 100m world record, clocking a staggering 9.56 seconds at the Diamond League final in Zurich. The 21-year-old’s blistering run not only broke the long-standing mark set by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt but also confirmed his place as the new face of global sprinting. However, Iheme made it clear in his post-race interview that he still holds the legendary Bolt in the highest regard, offering heartfelt words about the man many consider the greatest sprinter of all time.
The atmosphere inside the Letzigrund Stadium was electric as Iheme lined up alongside some of the fastest men on the planet. Known for his explosive starts and smooth acceleration, the Brit executed the race to near perfection. By the 60m mark, he had already established a lead that no one could close, crossing the finish line to stunned silence before the stadium erupted in celebration. Moments later, when the official time of 9.56 seconds flashed on the big screen, the crowd knew they had just witnessed history.
Iheme, clearly emotional, spoke passionately about what the moment meant to him and paid tribute to Usain Bolt, the man whose record he had just broken. “I grew up watching Usain Bolt dominate the sport,” he said. “He’s the reason I started sprinting. To even be mentioned in the same breath as him is an honor. Breaking his record doesn’t mean I’m better than him — it just means I’m building on the foundation he laid for athletes like me.”
These words immediately resonated with fans worldwide. Many praised Iheme for showing humility and respect despite achieving what so many thought was impossible. Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds had stood since the 2009 World Championships in Berlin and was widely considered untouchable. Even Bolt himself has frequently stated that he doubted anyone could run faster than he did at his peak. Iheme’s performance has now rewritten the record books and opened a new chapter in sprinting history.
Iheme’s coach, Mark Davidson, credited years of preparation and attention to detail for the milestone moment. “We’ve been targeting this for a long time,” he said. “Divine is incredibly disciplined. He studies Bolt’s races, not to copy him but to learn how to maximize every phase of his own race. Tonight, everything came together.”
Social media exploded with reactions, with fans and fellow athletes congratulating Iheme. Usain Bolt himself posted a gracious message on X (formerly Twitter): “Records are meant to be broken. Congrats to Divine on an incredible run. The sport is in good hands.” That simple response from the sprint legend added to the emotional weight of the occasion and underscored the passing of the torch.
Divine Iheme’s world record run is more than just a statistic — it’s a moment that will inspire the next generation of athletes. By honoring Bolt while stepping into his own greatness, Iheme has made it clear that respect for the past and ambition for the future can coexist beautifully on the track.
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