Jeremiah Azu has explained what he needs to do in order to be ready to challenge top sprinters like Noah Lyles at the Tokyo World Championships.
New 60m World Indoor champion Jeremiah Azu has explained why he cannot afford to rest on his laurels ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships set to take place in Tokyo this September.
The Welsh sprinter knows he must keep pushing forward if he wants to challenge the likes of Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Kishane Thompson for a podium spot.
Azu delivered a sensational performance at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, claiming gold in the men’s 60m final.
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His explosive start and flawless execution sealed his first global title, adding to his European Indoor Championship triumph earlier in the month.
Beyond the medals, Azu’s victory was deeply personal. Having recently reunited with his former coach Helen James after a turbulent period in his career, his success was a testament to his perseverance.
Now, as he prepares for the outdoor season—widely regarded as the business end of track and field—he knows there is no time to relax.
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“I just want to get back home, be a dad for a bit. There’s been so much going on, so I need to reset and really take in the life changes I’ve had. That’s honestly it,” Azu shared after his gold medal win.
However, at just 23 years old, Azu understands that there’s still a long road ahead if he hopes to secure a medal in Tokyo.
Azu’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he endured a devastating false start disqualification in the 100m heats—an experience that left him and his fans heartbroken.
Yet, he bounced back brilliantly, playing a crucial role in Team Great Britain’s 4x100m relay team, which clinched bronze.
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That experience has fueled his determination to compete with the world’s best.
“The work doesn’t stop—unfortunately, the calendar keeps moving, and the days keep going by. I still need to train and stay in the best shape possible so I can hopefully come back in the summer, return to Asia, be back in Tokyo, and who knows what can happen.”
Azu’s rise has been anything but smooth. He’s navigated coaching changes and injuries, forcing him to constantly adapt and push forward.
“I had a coaching change and dealt with a couple of injuries. But that’s life—everyone goes through things. I wouldn’t say it’s just me specifically, like some sob story. It’s just reality, and you have to keep moving forward.”
One of his biggest hurdles came when he returned to Cardiff, where he sat down with Helen James to map out his season. However, injuries derailed his plans, making his participation in the British Championships uncertain until just two days before the event.
“The plan was always to do Europeans and Worlds, but for a while, it didn’t seem possible. We were just going with the flow. Competing at the British Champs was a big step, and it turned out well. Honestly, four weeks ago, I didn’t even think I’d have an indoor season.”
When asked about his injury, Azu played it down.
“The injury? Just a little issue with my quad.”
With the world’s top sprinters already ramping up their preparations for Tokyo, Azu knows he can’t afford to lag behind. The 2025 World Championships could be his biggest breakthrough yet, but he will have to battle against the best, including Lyles, Kerley, and Thompson.
His decision to leave Italy and return home to Cardiff coincided with a major personal milestone—becoming a father. But when asked whether he would have stayed in Italy had that not happened, Azu remained focused on the present.
“If I wasn’t expecting a kid, would I have stayed in Italy? It’s hard to say. That’s in the past. Let’s focus on the future, on the summer.”
As he embarks on the outdoor season, one thing is clear: Jeremiah Azu is not here to make up the numbers. He’s determined to make history on the biggest stage—and Tokyo might just be the place where it all comes together.
