Jeremiah Azu races to 60m gold as the brand new father is given an enormous scare earlier than claiming the world indoor title in China

He conquered Europe and now he rules the world. What a month it has been for Jeremiah Azu, who has won back-to-back major titles straight after becoming a father for the first time.

Azu’s victory over 60 metres at the European Indoor Championships a fortnight ago was his maiden international individual gold medal. But on Friday, the Welsh sprinter went even better by securing his first global gold at the World Indoor Championships in China.

The 23-year-old had his hands on his head when his name initially flashed up second — behind Australian Lachlan Kennedy — on the big screen inside the Nanjing Cube.

But his landmark victory was confirmed moments later, with his time of 6.49sec matching the personal best he set two weeks ago, and he let out an almighty roar in celebration.

‘When I saw that it was me, I just exploded, it was just raw emotion,’ admitted a tearful Azu, who is Britain’s first world indoor 60m champion since Richard Kilty in 2014.

‘There hasn’t been a European and world champion in the same year so that’s a bit of history there. When you hear those words together, it really hits a place.

Jeremiah Azu proudly holds the Union Jack aloft after winning 60m world indoor gold in China

The 23-year-old narrowly pipped Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy (second right ) to the title

Azu dedicated his win to coach Helen James with whom he reunited after Olympics heartbreak

‘I said at the Europeans I want to take over the world — and this is just the start of our journey.’

Azu’s milestone month makes up for his heartbreak at the Olympics last summer, when he was disqualified from his 100m heat.

While he did go on to claim a bronze in the 4x100m relay in Paris, he decided to leave his training group in Italy and reunite with his old coach Helen James in Cardiff — a move that has paid off in spades.

‘This one definitely goes to Helen,’ said Azu. ‘Being back now with my family and Helen, having that support team around me is huge. They allow me to believe in myself.

‘The last few years have been very difficult for me. It’s so important to surround yourself with people that believe in you and that care about you.’

After his glory over 60m indoors, Azu will now turn his attention to 100m outdoors, with the World Championships in Tokyo in September in his sights.

‘This gives me massive confidence,’ added Azu, whose 100m personal best is 9.97sec. ‘The plan is to keep on winning.

‘The sky isn’t the limit — there is way, way more than that. Let’s see what the summer brings. I’m excited for it.’