British sprinter storms to victory ahead of Lachlan Kennedy and Akani Simbine on the first day of the global meeting in China
Jeremiah Azu admitted nerves before settling into his blocks for the men’s 60m final at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing on Friday (March 21). But 23-year-old channeled his nervous energy to perfection as he rose to the occasion to win in a PB of 6.49.
Following in the fast footsteps of fellow Brits who won this title – Jason Gardener, Dwain Chambers and Richard Kilty – the Welshman won Britain’s 21st world indoor title as he finished one hundredth of a second ahead of Lachlan Kennedy, a former rugby winger from Australia who had not raced indoors coming into these championships.
Akani Simbine of South Africa was third in 6.54 as one of the favourites, Ronnie Baker of the United States, finished sixth clutching his hamstring, while another leading contender, Eloy Benitez of Puerto Rico, stumbled mid-race and failed to finish.
Running in lane six, Azu enjoyed a great start but Kennedy in lane two finished strongly and almost caught him at the finish.
Lachlan Kennedy, Jeremiah Azu, Akani Simbine (Getty)
In a tearful post-race interview, Azu said: “I was a bit emotional before the final. It’s been difficult for me recently and it’s very important to surround yourself with people who believe in you.”
After a spell training under Marco Airale in Italy, Azu moved back home to South Wales this winter to train again under his old coach Helen James.
Adding to the emotions, he has also become a father for the first time in recent weeks and is fresh from capturing the European indoor 60m title in Apeldoorn this month.
Saga Vanninen of Finland is only 21 years old but performed with maturity as she took pentathlon gold with 4821 points.
Vanninen’s results included 60m hurdles in 8.30m, high jump in 1.81m, shot put 15.81m, long jump 6.37m and 800m in 2:15.28 as Kate O’Connor of Ireland took silver with 4742 and Taliyah Brooks of the United States won bronze with 4669.
For O’Connor, it was Ireland’s first medal at these championships for 19 years.
Sarah Mitton (Getty)
Sarah Mitton of Canada emerged as a clear winner of the women’s shot put with 20.48m, successfully defending the title she won in Glasgow last year as Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands took silver with 20.07m and Chase Jackson of the United States was third with 20.06m.
Woo Sanghyeok of South Korea won his second world indoor title…
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