Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu claimed gold in the men's 60m final at the 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships, marking his first senior individual title with an impressive time of 6.49 seconds. The event showcased not only Azu's speed but also his resilience and determination, as he crossed the finish line with uncertainty over his win, suspecting he had lost to Sweden's Henrik Larsson, who finished second with 6.52 seconds. Azu's teammate Andrew Robertson secured the bronze medal, clocking 6.55 seconds.
Azu's path to the championship has been anything but straightforward. After experiencing the bittersweet nature of competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he was disqualified from the individual 100m for a false start, Azu decided to switch his training environment. He left Marco Airale’s training group in Italy to return to Cardiff and reunite with former coach Helen James, under whose guidance he first took up the sport.
"Honestly, I didn't think I won it. I thought Henrik was five metres in front of me. When you're in a line, you can't really tell what is going on. I was pushing every bit of me to the line," Azu told BBC Sport immediately after the race.
This victory not only served as confirmation of his talent but also fulfilled Azu's aspiration to stand on top of the podium on the international stage. Acknowledging the support he received from the crowd, he greeted them warmly, enhancing the atmosphere as he celebrated his win. The Dutch audience embraced him, recognizing his roots; Azu was born in Rotterdam before moving to Wales at the age of three.
The win solidified Azu's place as the ninth British man to secure the 60m title at the European level, the first since Richard Kilty, who had provided Azu with much-needed encouragement before the semi-finals. "Honestly, he's a great guy. He filled me with confidence. He told me to believe in myself. If there was any doubt before I had ... conversation with him, he put it all to bed," Azu explained.
Reflecting on this significant moment, Azu shared, "Life is such a flash and it is so great to have these moments. I am so grateful to be standing here and calling myself a European champion." This win was special not just for the medal but for the motivation it gave him as he steps onto the track as a new father.
For Azu, fatherhood has been transformative. His recent life changes, including the beginning of his family, have become his driving force. He spoke about how becoming a father gives him even more reason to push through the challenges on the track. "Huge moment becoming a father, becoming European Champion," he shared. "He is going to be able to look back on this and see what his dad was doing, which is an amazing feeling. If I wasn’t motivated enough already, it is another reason to go hard, another reason to get up in the morning."
Azu became known for his impressive track record prior to this championship; he was part of Britain's bronze medal 4x100m relay team at the Paris 2024 Olympics and had twice claimed the title of European U23 100m champion. With this latest accolade under his belt, Azu now sets his sites on the outdoor season and upcoming challenges, including competing for individual glory at the World Indoor Championships.
Looking forward, Azu expressed his eagerness for the outdoor season, particularly the 100m event. "I've always said, if you can run six-five, you can run nine-nine," he stated confidently, showing no signs of slowing down after his latest success. Azu is poised for greater achievements, and fans are excited to see what he'll accomplish next.
The European Athletics Indoor Championships continued to showcase the talent of British athletes, with several other competitors successfully qualifying for the finals, such as Melissa Courtney-Bryant and George Mills. Azu’s gold medal win provided a thrilling highlight, emphasizing the promising future for British sprinting talent.
With the final day of the championships upon them, Great Britain’s track and field athletes are set to build on the momentum Azu has generated. The combination of his triumph and the anticipated performances from others on the team positions the nation well for more medals.