Wales’ fastest man, who has become a father and European champion in the past three weeks, beat Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy by just 0.01secs in a photo finish in Nanjing
And while Azu, 33, is the 13th British male to capture a World Indoor title, this was a result born from perseverance rather than luck.
Already Europe’s fastest over 60m this year, Azu eased through his heat and semi-final to secure lane six in an evenly-matched final. He emerged strongest from the blocks and took a decent lead. But Kennedy, who had the fastest lifetime best in the field, finished strongly and the line arrived just in time for Azu to clock a personal best 6.49secs.
He faced an anxious wait for confirmation before embarking on an ecstatic lap of honour.
The tears then flowed as he dedicated gold to Helen James, the childhood coach he recently rejoined after two difficult years in Italy.
“It about doing it when it matters,” Azu said. “I’m glad I've got the ability to do that. This one goes to Helen — I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Azu, gutted to have false started in the 100m heats at the 2024 Olympics, was part of Marco Airale’s prolific group in Padova.
But he returned home in the winter to rejoin James’...
And while Azu, 33, is the 13th British male to capture a World Indoor title, this was a result born from perseverance rather than luck.
Already Europe’s fastest over 60m this year, Azu eased through his heat and semi-final to secure lane six in an evenly-matched final. He emerged strongest from the blocks and took a decent lead. But Kennedy, who had the fastest lifetime best in the field, finished strongly and the line arrived just in time for Azu to clock a personal best 6.49secs.
He faced an anxious wait for confirmation before embarking on an ecstatic lap of honour.
The tears then flowed as he dedicated gold to Helen James, the childhood coach he recently rejoined after two difficult years in Italy.
“It about doing it when it matters,” Azu said. “I’m glad I've got the ability to do that. This one goes to Helen — I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Azu, gutted to have false started in the 100m heats at the 2024 Olympics, was part of Marco Airale’s prolific group in Padova.
But he returned home in the winter to rejoin James’...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 22, 2025