Kenya’s 5,000m women’s representative to Tokyo Olympics Agnes Tirop has been found dead
Tirop’s lifeless body was found earlier today in her house in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County with stab wounds in the abdomen.
According to a statement issued by Athletics Kenya, It is suspected her estranged husband is behind the killing.
Announcing the tragic death, Athletics Kenya (AK ) in a statement said they are distraught to learn about the untimely death of the World 10,000m bronze medalist , stating that 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.
Last month, Tirop smashed the 10km World record after clocking 30:01 to shave 28 seconds from the previous women-only 10km road record held by Asmae Leghzaoui of Morrocco from 2002.
In the Tokyo Olympic Games, the 25-year-old emerged fourth in the 5,000m women’s finals after clocking 14:39.62.
Netherlands superstar Sifan Hassan won gold in the race after clocking 14:36.79, with Kenya’s Hellen Obiri settling for silver after clocking 14:38.36.
Last week, she finished an impressive second, timing 30:20 at the Valencia Half Marathon.
Tirop’s decorated CV also includes a World Cross Country title in 2015 during which she made history as the second youngest medalist at that level.
She also won the Africa Cross Country Championship in 2014 in Kampala, Uganda as well as the World Junior Cross Country Championship in 2013 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.