The 2025 would be the year of Jeremiah Azu

Jeremiah Azu said he wanted 2025 to be the best year of his life. And it certainly got off to a good start for him. He became the Welsh indoor 60m champion, the British champion and later in the season won European and world gold in the event. Jeremiah Azu also became a father to a baby boy, his first child.

After winning the World Indoor Championships in China, he had a much-needed break with his family. But a week later he is back training in the sunshine in Cardiff – and dreaming of more success when the outdoor season begins.

“Even now sometimes it doesn’t feel real. It’s the moment when you say it out loud that really makes you realize what you’ve done”, said Jeremiah Azu in an interview. “I’ve loved every moment since I’ve been home. My family were there cheering me on when I came in the house, just picking me up, throwing me around. It’s just been a big celebration. I want to go all the way. I want to win world titles. That just adds to that motivation. Before, it was about my family. But now it’s really about my own son and my wife, and I don’t think you can beat that motivation”, added he.

The 23-year-old Welsh athlete has never lacked confidence. He credits the support of his family and his unwavering faith in God. But there’s a humility about him that perhaps doesn’t come across in his usual dancing on the starting line for the cameras.

Two days after becoming the European indoor 60m champion last month, he was part of an event in Wales to mark Commonwealth Day. Long after the guests had left, he stayed to help set up the chairs.

On the track, the results are beginning to justify that confidence. He won Olympic bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Paris last summer, and his world indoor title last month further enhanced his rising status in the sport.

“It’s easy to be confident. You can fake it. I’ve never been a falsely confident person. I’m just Jeremiah. Some people think I’m confident, overconfident, underconfident, whatever. But for me it’s knowing that I can do what I’ve always believed I could do”, said Jeremiah Azu. “I’ve learned how to win and I think that’s important in track and field. Because at the end of the day, everyone is fast, everyone is talented, but it’s who really believes it”, added he.

His new coach is now his old coach. He first worked with Helen James as a 17-year-old and after two years under Marco Airale in Italy, Jeremiah Azu returns with Helen James in Cardiff.

“He’s going to go further than that”, said he.

Now, his focus is shifting to the upcoming outdoor season and a return to China for the start of the Diamond League and World Relay Championships in May.

“Coming in as the world indoor champion, there are a few more expectations now. But I’m not really doing this for anyone. I’m not trying to prove myself to anyone. I’m doing this because I know I can do it. Because my abilities show me that I was born to do this. There’s nothing I don’t do, there’s no exercise I leave out. I go into everything with the desire to be the best. So I just keep that mindset going into everything”, said also Jeremiah Azu.