Grand Slam: Agnes Ngetich signs contract as Michael Johnson’s brainchild picks up pace

• Agnes Jebet Ngetich has been announced as the new star to join next year’s Grand Slam tournament.
• Ngetich, the current 10km world record holder, will compete in all four Grand Slams in 2025.
• TUKO.co.ke has compiled a brief update on the Grand Slam circuit and Ngetich’s feelings after signing the contract.

Agnes Ngetich has become the latest star to sign with the newly formed Grand Slam team ahead of its inaugural season next year.

She was officially announced on November 1 along with Ethiopian cross-country runner Tsigi Gebresalama.

Who is Agnes Ngetich?

Ngetich – current world Women’s 10K road running record holder following her stunning performance in Valencia earlier this year. The 23-year-old clocked 28:46, beating the previous record of Ethiopian Yalemzerfa Yehualaw. She was also the first woman to run under 29 minutes in the race.

“Joining the Grand Slam tournament lit the fire in me even more. The competition is fierce, the atmosphere will be intense, and the opportunities are endless. It has always been my dream to compete at the highest level and join a Grand Slam tournament,” Ngetich said.

“I’m thrilled to compete against the fastest women in the world and inspire the next generation to dream bigger.”

Ngetich becomes second Kenyan sign with the lucrative league after Ronald Kwemoi. Kwemoi recently won a silver medal for Kenya in the men’s 5000m at the Paris Olympics.

What is the Grand Slam circuit?

Grand Slam Track is the brainchild of legendary American sprinter Michael Johnson. The league intends to encourage the who’s who of track and field to compete more regularly throughout the year.

The league will host four annual Grand Slam tournaments (or meets) running from April to September. Each tournament will feature 96 riders. Organizers intend to recruit 48 athletes as core riders – six groups of male riders and six groups of women riders from six competition groups – who will compete in all four annual events.

The signings of Ngetich and Gebresalama bring the total number of main riders to 32.

What competitions will be held at the Grand Slam Track?

As for the events, as mentioned initially, they were divided into six categories.

1. Short sprints – 100m/200m.
2. Short hurdles – 100 m hurdles (F) or 110 m hurdles (M) / 100 meters.
3. Long sprint – 200m/400m.
4. Long distance running – 400m hurdles / 400m.
5. Short distance – 800m/1500m
6. Long distance – 3000m/5000m

How much do they pay for a Grand Slam tournament?

Top riders will receive an annual base compensation and will be eligible for additional prize money. The remaining 48 will be known as challengers and will receive performance fees. The league’s total prize fund is US$12.6 million. Each winner of each tournament is expected to earn US$100,000 (KSh12.8 million), making it one of the largest prizes in the world. sport.

The shoes Ruth Chepngetich wore to break the world record

TUKO.co.ke previously reported on Ruth Chepngetich’s shoes that broke women’s shoes Chicago Marathon record.

Chepngetich not only broke the world record, but completely broke it, shaving at least two minutes off the previous record.

Source: TUKO.co.ke