‘I Could Not Believe It’: Ngetich Makes Powerful Statement with 8:08.95 3000m Triumph

Kenyan distance star Agnes Jebet Ngetich produced a remarkable performance at the Monaco Diamond League, winning the women’s 3000 metres in a personal best, meeting record and world-leading time of 8:08.95.

The victory marked a memorable return to the track for Ngetich, who had recently focused on road races and cross-country events. The Kenyan athlete admitted she arrived in Monaco without a specific race strategy beyond testing her speed and aiming for a personal best.

“Coming here, I did not have any plan. My plan was to run a personal best,” Ngetich said after the race.

She revealed that her coach encouraged her to believe she could achieve a strong result despite it being her first track race in a significant period.

“My coach was like, ‘You know you can do it.’ And I was like, ‘Hey coach, this is my first race on the track. I am opening on the track because I have been on the road races and cross country lately.’”

Ngetich credited her coach and support team for helping her achieve the outstanding performance.

“Today, I am so happy and I have to say thank you to him and to the whole team who helped me,” she added.

The Kenyan star said she came to Monaco mainly to confirm whether she still had the speed required for track competition after her last appearance on the track at the Tokyo Olympics.

“I was coming here just to test if I still have the speed on the track. My last track race was in Tokyo, and I see that it is so amazing. I just could not believe who I was on the track.”

Sharing the race with multiple world champion Faith Kipyegon and Jessica Hull made the occasion even more special for Ngetich, who described competing alongside them as a privilege.

“Running side by side with Faith Kipyegon and with Jessica was a pleasure. It is a privilege. Faith is a nice lady, she is a queen on the track. She has been the role model to us,” Ngetich said.

Following her record-breaking display, Ngetich said she would return to her team to discuss the next stage of her season.

“For now, I just go back to my coach and see what is next,” she concluded.