Explained: Agnes Ng’etich’s untold struggle before world-breaking triumph in Valencia

After running in astonishing fashion to set a new world record in the 10-kilometre race in Valencia, Agnes Ng’etich’s agent Davor Savija has explained the struggle the youngster has faced.

The 22-year-old was thrust into the global limelight when she won the Valencia contest in 28:46 and shoved off 28 seconds from the standing record before today’s race.

She also became the first woman to break 29 minutes for the distance by improving the world record set by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw in Castellon two years ago.

Her agent has now revealed the untold struggle Ng’etich faced before the Valencia triumphant race.

“Her World Athletics statistics, they don’t say the story of schooling – going to school [until 2022], physically not training at all in her last year, when she was [studying for] matriculation exams. Gaining weight, going through puberty – all of these things.

“On a perfect day in Valencia with a perfect course and a perfect pacemaker, she finally gets an opportunity to express the shape.

“She’s been in this shape now for six months. But because people like to speak about shoes and doping, they are [too] lazy to look at the statistics,” Savija told LetsRun.com.

Generational talent

Savija believes that Ng’etich is a generational talent and is capable of emulating the 2023 world champion and triple record-breaker, Faith Kipyegon.

“This is a generational talent that is here to stay. This is some kind of Faith Kipyegon in the making.

“Now [she] has a dream, now has food, now has three or four pacemakers, now has 150km weeks, and now has Lornah [Kiplagat]’s [all-weather] track,” Savija added.

After running impressively in Valencia, Ng’etich’s focus should be on the upcoming high-profile events this year, including the World Cross Country Championships and the Paris Olympic Games.