Photo: Simoya Campbell in action for the University of Technology
“The battles that count aren`t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself – the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us – that`s where it`s at.” – Jesse Owens
There is probably not another local based athlete, that is as motivated and determined like Simoya Campbell, and even though she is not amongst the favorites for gold in Beijing, she has already won the hearts of many local track and field fans.
She thinks big, she dreams bigger, she talks the biggest, and even though her stature is not big, she has the heart of a champion.
A former Spaudling High School standout, now running for the University of Technology, Campbell had amongst her list of goals for the 2015 track season, a spot at on the national team at the Senior World Championship to the summer games in Beijing, China.
With every race this season she trimmed her personal best time down, until she finally dipped below the 2 minute barrier, with a second spot at the National Senior Trials.
Her sight is now set on a memorable championship in Beijing.
Q. What is the first thing that went through your mind when you crossed the finish line at the national stadium and saw the time?
A. “ GOD YOUR SO GOOD TO ME.. WOW!!! Did I really just ran below 2:00mins?
I defied all odds. I heard so many things when I left high school and went to Essex and I really couldn’t function. I missed my family and the atmosphere was just wasn’t for me. I decided to come back to train at UTECH. Many thought it was a bad decision, of being a 800m athlete and training in Jamaica, that I would not be able to compete at the international level. But here am I, in my third year as a senior athlete becoming only the 7th Jamaican woman to go below 2:00 mins and the youngest ever to achieve that feat.
Q. what are five things are you looking forward to in Beijing, both on and off track?
A. 1. Firstly I am looking forward to once again wear the black, green and gold, and represent my country with pride.
2. I am looking to go there and leave everything on the track, lower my PB, be in the final and contend for a medal.
3. Meeting the Ethiopian sisters Genezbe and Tirunesh Dibaba is something I am looking forward to.
4. The atmosphere that surrounds major championships likes these, is something am looking forward to soak up, parading in the opening ceremony, as I prepare my mind for the competition at the highest level.
5. I realize that I could be a part of Jamaica’s track history, if myself and Natoya Goule make that final of the 800m, hence I am looking forward to the challenge, hoping it materialize.
Q: Which athlete do you emulate or draw inspiration from?
A: ” I don’t really try to emulate anyone, I just run my own race at the best of my ability, however I admire, Dibaba (Genezbe) and the way in which she goes out and takes care of her business on the track and going forward I am working hard so I can emulate her”
Q: Motivational quote/saying?
A: ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me . Philippians 4 vs 13. My Coach always remind me how hard I train and how talented I am and it’s for me to just go out there and execute and not worry about others?”
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