Jake Heyward and Charlotte Henrich both broke Welsh records at the London Diamond League, continuing their fine form ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The duo impressed on a record-breaking afternoon at the Wanda Diamond League in London, with Heyward excelling over the mile and Henrich in the 400m.
Heyward's Remarkable Comeback
Heyward's personal best of 3:46.73 was overshadowed by Josh Kerr's world record in the same race, 27 years after Hicham El Guerrouj set the mark for the mile. Kerr's time of 3:42.66 drew huge cheers, but Heyward's achievement was hugely impressive given his recent struggles. After nearly two years on the sidelines with an Achilles injury that required double surgery, the former European silver medallist was thrilled to be back competing at this level.
He said: "It is a weird experience when you run a 3:46 mile but you are still a fair bit back from Josh (Kerr). Fair play to him, it was an amazing run and he should be so proud of himself. To put yourself out there like that, and then go and do it, is really special. It was amazing to be a part of that race."
He added: "From my perspective, it has been such a long time since I have been running, so just to be back in this environment is fantastic, and every race I can going to improve, purely because I am training week in week out, so to run 3:46 mile off five and half months' training is pretty good. One day I am confident I'll be in a place where I will be trying to run 3:42."
Henrich Continues to Shine
Heyward will now turn his attention to Glasgow 2026, as will teenager Henrich, who ran a personal best 50.45 over 400m. Henrich had broken a 44-year-old Welsh record in June and improved upon that time by 0.13 seconds as she continues her upward trajectory. In front of 60,000 spectators, she showed no signs of nerves in a race won by Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino.
She said: "It's so cool to run in London with the crowd. I'm quite a nervous person but getting out there is amazing and the nerves just go away and to get a PB was just amazing, just the place to be."
Azu Sets Sights on Commonwealth Games
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Azu has set his sights on doing Wales proud at the Commonwealth Games after a promising showing. The Welsh sprinter heads to Glasgow 2026 with confidence after running 10.07 in the 100m. That was a fair way behind top two Kayinsola Ajayi of Nigeria and reigning world champion Oblique Seville, who both dipped under 9.90 seconds, with Ajayi taking it in a national record of 9.84.
Ajayi and Seville are both expected to race the 100m in Glasgow, but Azu believes he is hitting peak form at just the right moment ahead of a potential home double of Commonwealth Games and European Championships, held in Birmingham next month.
He said: "It was a good race. The sprinting field right now is just crazy. For me, I'm happy with the way I've put my race together. It feels like it's taken a while for everything to click, but today, running 10.07 into almost a one-metre headwind, for me, that's a really strong performance. People see 9.84 and think, 'Wow,' but for me, I'm happy with that performance."
He added: "Now it's about focusing on the Commonwealth Games and just being competitive, getting in the mix with the guys. Championship racing is completely different to circuit racing. When the pressure's on and the environment's right, I'm sure it'll be a good race. I'm coming into the right place at the right time."
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