Jeremiah Azu Clinches European 60m Gold as Robertson Secures Bronze in Thrilling Indoor Championships

On a thrilling Saturday night at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, Jeremiah Azu of Great Britain stormed to victory in the men's 60m, claiming his first individual international title. Andrew Robertson, his teammate, secured a well-deserved bronze, marking a historic moment for British athletics.

Azu, 23, delivered a personal best of 6.49 seconds, outpacing Sweden's Henrik Larsson (6.52) and Robertson (6.55) in a fiercely contested final. Earlier in the day, Azu had set the tone with a European-leading time of 6.52 seconds in the semi-finals.

Reflecting on his victory, Azu shared with BBC Sport, "Honestly, I didn't think I won it. I thought Henrik was five metres in front of me. When you're in a line, you can't really tell what is going on. I was pushing every bit of me to the line." This win marks a significant milestone in Azu's career, especially following his recent decision to return to training in the UK after the birth of his son.

Robertson, 34, who received a late call-up to the squad, also made headlines with his bronze medal. After finishing fourth in 2021, Robertson's comeback was nothing short of inspiring. "This time last week, I was having a cheesecake in Scarborough," he quipped. "Aged 34, to come away with my second-fastest time ever, I can't ask for any more."

A Growing Legacy

Azu's victory adds him to the elite list of British men who have won the 60m title, becoming the ninth athlete to do so. His triumph follows previous successes in the 100m and 4x100m relay events, showcasing his versatility and determination on the track.

With his eyes now set on the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, Azu is poised to make his mark on the global stage. "Speechless. It has been a crazy couple of months. To top it off by becoming European champion, I'm so grateful," he said.

British Athletes Shine Across the Board

The British team delivered strong performances throughout the championships. Revee Walcott-Nolan secured bronze in the 1500m, while the mixed 4x400m relay team also claimed a podium finish.

Looking ahead to the final day, George Mills aims to challenge Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the men's 3,000m, while Melissa Courtney-Bryant leads a trio of British women in the 3,000m final. Additionally, Morgan Lake will compete for a medal in the women's high jump, aiming for her first international podium since 2018.

Coverage of the final day continues on BBC Two and the BBC Sport website, bringing fans closer to the action as British athletes vie for further glory.