Medal winner Azu sets sights on sub 9.9 seconds

Jeremiah Azu is targeting fresh records after returning from the European Athletics Championships with two relay gold medals and an individual silver.

The 25-year-old from Cardiff ran 10.16 seconds as he finished runner-up to Great Britain team-mate Romell Glave in the individual men's 100m at the Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham.

However, Azu - who set a Welsh record of 9.97 in 2024 - believes he can still go much quicker.

"I do think I can go faster, sub-10," Azu told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"I'm yet to go sub-10 this year, so I'd love to do that, to continue that trajectory, to get into those low nines, into those 9.8s, that's where I want to be."

The fastest ever run from a British man was 9.83 by Zharnel Hughes in 2023, while Usain Bolt's 100m men's world record is 9.58.

Azu's quickest time this year came in the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games where he ran 10.00, but despite not matching that in Birmingham his three medals make him the most successful Welsh athlete at a single European Championships.

"It's one of those in athletics, sometimes the times don't actually come but you get the rewards from the medals and stuff," added the 2025 World and European Indoor 60m champion.

And Azu - who also has a European gold from Munich 2022 and Olympic bronze from Paris 2024 with Great Britain relay squads - is keen to add to his medal collection.

"We've got World Championships coming up, we've got Olympics coming up, we've potentially got another home championships in 2029 in London," he said.

"So all these things are really good opportunities to put your name out there and represent your country well.

"I want to go to these, be competitive, race against the best athletes in the world and leave my best performance at these championships, which I know is something I'm capable of doing."

Azu ran the opening leg for both Great Britain's successful men's and mixed 4x100m relay quartets in Birmingham, sharing in historic moments as Amy Hunt became the first person to win four golds at a single European Championships, while Dina Asher-Smith became the event's most successful ever athlete, taking her tally to 11 medals including eight golds.

"It's amazing, so much talent, so much history as well," Azu said.

"Even like the new generation coming through with Amy, you could see the storylines everywhere and it's great to have your name amongst that.

"I think we all work so hard to try and achieve great things and even when you could be a part of someone else's story, it's actually such a privilege."

A privilege and also, said Azu, a pleasure.

"You get to have fun at that point because you're with your mates on the track and we've trained and worked so hard for this moment," he added.

"I always believe when we get to go out there for the finals, it's when we get to have the most fun."