Ngetich plans to build her speed ahead of Tokyo Worlds
Sports
By
Stephen Rutto
| Jul 25, 2025
Missing out on Team Kenya to last year’s Paris Olympics because of an injury might have dampened Agnes Ngetich’s spirit, but that aside, the 10km record holder is getting ready for a major assignment this year.
An in-form Ngetich has earned her place in Team Kenya for the Tokyo World Championships beginning September 13 and is executing her plans for a medal one step at a time.
For her, a medal at the World Championships will be won through speed and confidence, and she is building both ahead of the September showdown.
Ngetich will be doubling 5000m and 10,000m, a challenge she confidently says she will overcome through proper training.
Between now and the World Championships, Ngetich says all her energies will be on training.
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She says her sights will be on speed because the World Championship is a well-measured contest.
“I am going to work on speed and more importantly the kick,” said Ngetich.
She adds: “In between the training, I will compete in one Diamond League meeting which is yet to be confirmed.”
According to Ngetich, speed will be crucial in a World Championship because it is much-needed in the last 200m or 300m.
Her long runs, Ngetich says, will be crucial at the global showpiece to be hosted in the Japanese city where the 2020 Olympic Games were staged.
Ngetich says Grand Slam races in April and May played a role in her speed this season.
Earlier in the year, Ngetich says, she did not have the much-needed speed on the track, but she notes that Kipyegon and Chebet motivated her to compete on the track and perform well and she gave it a try.
“My mission this year was to gain speed and after the motivation by my colleagues, I signed for Grand Slam and hoped to get the speed towards Tokyo. I feel good that I performed well in Grand Slam.
“The good thing is to have speed and mileage and everything will fall in place. I know it is my first time doubling but I will trust my training. With good health,” said Ngetich.
She said long runs, good mental strength and resilience will offer the requisite power for a stellar show in Tokyo.
The long-distance road and track star bagged the 5000m ticket earlier in the month in Eugene and booked a slot in the 10,000m team at the national trials in Nairobi on Tuesday.
“I am a long distance athlete and doubling in 5000m and 10,000m is good for me because it is like be going for a long run.
“It is a challenge to double in 5000m and 10,000m. It is my first time doubling and I hope for good results,” she said.
Important to Ngetich, is teaming up with her mentors; world record holders Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon in 5000m as well as Janeth Chepngetich.
In 10,000m she will have the company of Beatrice Chebet, Margaret Akidor and Janeth Chepngetich.
“I hope for good results. With Janet Chepngetich, Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet, I am optimistic of the medals coming home. The important thing is coming home for all medals,” says Ngetich.
In her training calendar, Ngetich says, improving her speed day by day until the time to compete in Tokyo features prominently.
She has promised the country and fans that she was not under pressure to perform beyond her expectations given her status as a world record holder.
“We are not under any pressure but focused on what we want to achieve in Tokyo. We are all world record holders in 5000m but the focus at the World championships is the medals. We are coming home with the medals,” she says.
She adds: “Racing with the queens of track gives me the energy and encouragement.”
Ngetich says doubling 5000m and 10,000m helps her to recover the time she lost to an injury last season.
“It is everyone’s dream to win a ticket to the World Championships I’m happy about it,” she says.