Former 10 Kilometre women’s road race World Record Holder Agnes Tirop is dead.
The talented long-distance runner’s body was found at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet on the morning of Wednesday, October 13 with stab wounds. Her death is being treated as a suspected homicide with her husband reportedly missing.
News of the 25-year old star’s demise shocked the nation with condolences streaming in from Kenyans and the global athletics community.
Police arrived at the scene and had to seal off the area as a large crowd milled to witness the happenings.
Kenyan athletes including three-time London Marathon champion Mary Keitany and Marathon champion Joycyline Jepkosgei were also among those who arrived at Tirop’s Iten home as well as other family and friends.
Tirop was part of Team Kenya at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games held in Japan this year. She finished fourth in the 5K Women’s race behind the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, Kenya’s Hellen Obiri and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay.
Athletics Kenya (AK) confirmed her passing as it mourned the young, gifted athlete.
“Atheltics Kenya are this afternoon distraught to learn about the untimely death of World 10,000 metres bronze medallist Agnes Tirop.”
“Kenya has lost a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances on the track… We pray that God may grant strength to family and friends at this difficult time,” a sttement from the federation read.
Tirop ran her 10 Km road race World Record breaking time in Herzogenaurach, Germany on September 12, 2021.
She clocked 30:01, besting the long-standing record by Morocco’s Asmae Leghzaoui of 30:29 set in New York in 2002.
Tirop’s record was beaten by Bahrain’s Kalkidan Gezahegne at the Giants Geneva 10K in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday, October 3.
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