Welsh sprint sensation Jeremiah Azu has set his sights on smashing the British 100m record this summer after a dominant indoor season that saw him claim gold at both the European and World Indoor Championships.
The 23-year-old blazed to victory in the 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, clocking a lifetime best of 6.49 seconds, the same time that secured him gold at the European Indoors just two weeks earlier.
Jeremiah Azu believes his explosive speed over the shorter distance can translate into a historic 100m performance, with Zharnel Hughes’ national record of 9.83 seconds firmly in his crosshairs.
“I believe I can run 9.8. I’ve always known I’ve had the ability to do it, so something like this just confirms it for me. I wouldn’t need to do anything crazy with a 6.49 to go 9.8,” Azu told the Daily Mail.
Azu’s 100m dreams were dashed by a heartbreaking false start disqualification in the heats, at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, he rebounded by helping Team Great Britain secure bronze in the 4x100m relay, proving his resilience on the biggest stage.
Azu is eyeing a podium finish at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
“That’s always the goal. It would be amazing to get on that podium—and why not? You have to do it when it matters, and I know that’s something I’ve got. I’m confident in my 100m and how the season is going to pan out.”
The likes of Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Oblique Seville will be vying for supremacy in Tokyo, meaning Azu must deliver a career-defining performance to break into the world’s elite.
“We have Zharnel with the British record right now, but it’s nice to be knocking around that ballpark. I’m here to compete with the best.”
