Jeremiah Azu believes he is in the form of his life as he targets a first Commonwealth Games medal for Team Wales.
Jeremiah Azu is more motivated than ever for Commonwealth Games silverware and feels he is ‘in the form of his life’. The 25-year-old sprinter from Cardiff has been selected for his second Games for Team Wales at Glasgow 2026, following a fifth-place finish in the 100m in Birmingham four years ago.
In the years since, Azu has become one of GB’s top sprint stars, crowning himself indoor 60m world and European champion in 2025 and becoming the first Welshman to run 100m in under 10 seconds in wind-legal conditions.
And with a sparkling personal best of 9.97 seconds behind him, Azu is ready to use his experience to finally reach the Commonwealth podium.
“I think I’m in the point of my career where I’ve got the experience now, so I need to use that to win medals for the nation,” he said. “I’ll be looking to go there and be competitive. I’m in the shape of my life right now.”
Glasgow 2026 also brings with it a new element of family for Azu, who became a father for the first time in March 2025. The birth of his son Azaire has perfectly timed with his rise on the track, admitting that being a father has led him to a newfound sense of enjoyment and fearlessness in the sport.
And with Azaire set to watch on from the stands in Scotland, there are some things more important than gold.
“I’ve always been a huge family person, but even more now that I’ve got my own,” he said. “Looking up into the stands and seeing my son, I think if I wasn’t motivated before, I’m definitely going to be motivated now.
“It’s an incredible feeling going through that journey with him day to day and seeing him grow.
“This time last year he couldn’t even speak or couldn’t even sit up. Now he’s running all over the place, saying, ‘Dad,’ and ‘no’ of course.
“It is super special, and it’s going to be a moment I hope he can one day look back on and see who his dad was when he was this age.”
Azu’s podium ambitions in Glasgow are being supported by The National Lottery, whose funding helps provide the sprinter with access to the world’s best coaches, as well as pioneering technology, science and medical support.
Since 2000, Welsh Athletics has received around £10.5 million in National Lottery grants while £5.5 million has been provided to support the National Indoor Athletics Centre at Cardiff Met University.
Azu won European bronze over 100m just days after his Birmingham 2022 appearance, before being part of the men’s 4x100m relay who won bronze for Team GB at Paris 2024, though his own individual 100m Olympic ambitions were dashed by a false start in his heat.
He will face tough competition from fellow Brit Louie Hinchliffe in Glasgow, while Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala looks to become the first African man to win back-to-back Commonwealth 100m titles.
But Azu is optimistic as he prepares for a pivotal moment in his career.
“I came into athletics not knowing where it would take me, and it’s taken me around the world competing in front of so many people,” he said.
“But the Commonwealth Games is so special because I’m so proud to be Welsh and to be here with everyone else representing Wales.
“As athletes, we’re always looking for the next thing but it’s a moment like this announcement where you get to stop and actually take in all the achievements. The journey of sport, you never really know where it’s going to take you, but it is always a privilege and an honour to represent Wales, so it’s going to be something special.”
Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33million is raised every week for good causes. It’s because of you sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK.