Great Britain’s Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu secured a dramatic one-two finish in the men’s 100m at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, capitalizing after Italy’s defending champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs pulled up with an injury mid-race.
The home crowd at Alexander Stadium witnessed a surge on the track as Romell Glave powered to victory in 10.09 seconds. The performance marked a major milestone for the 26-year-old, who previously claimed a bronze medal at the championships in Rome two years ago.
Teammate Jeremiah Azu followed closely behind, crossing the finish line in 10.16 seconds to claim the silver medal. Azu entered the competition with strong momentum, having previously earned the title of world and European champion over 60m indoors in 2025 alongside his 2022 bronze medal finish in the outdoor 100m event.
How the Race Unfolded in Birmingham
The high-stakes final shifted dramatically at the halfway mark when gold-medal favourite Lamont Marcell Jacobs suffered an injury and pulled up, removing the two-time defending champion and surprise Olympic champion five years ago from contention.
With Jacobs sidelined, the British pair seized control of the race. Glave established a commanding lead that carried him across the line for gold, while Azu held off the chasing pack to secure the one-two finish for the host nation.
German sprinter Owen Ansah capitalized on the opening left by the defending champion’s exit, crossing the finish line to complete the podium behind the British duo.
Broader Context for British Sprinting
The success in Birmingham highlights a competitive landscape for British sprinting talent as athletes navigate a calendar of domestic and international qualifiers. Earlier in the season, rising 21-year-old sprint star Louie Hinchliffe posted a 9.95 in June, positioning himself as the second-fastest European man this year while training under athletics icon Carl Lewis at the University of Houston.
Other top contenders continue to make their presence felt across major events. Jeremiah Azu previously clocked a wind-assisted championship record 9.90 to secure the British title in 2022.
Meanwhile, reigning British champion and world bronze medalist Zharnel Hughes has been forced to watch from the sidelines as he recovers from a hamstring injury, though his prior achievements already secure his path forward.
What Lies Ahead for the National Squad
The performances at Alexander Stadium add intensity to a contested selection window. Athletes aiming for international representation face qualifying criteria, requiring both a top-two finish at trials and the achievement of official World Athletics qualification standards.
Competitors such as Reece Prescod and Eugene Amo-Dadzie—widely recognized as the self-styled ‘world’s fastest accountant’—remain in the mix alongside other high-profile national names as selectors finalize rosters for upcoming global contests.
Worth a look
