9-year-old long-distance track athlete of the St Mary’s Catholic School (LA. Fillette), Azaria Simon, is continuing her family’s legacy in a sport not for the faint of heart. Azaria, the daughter of former long-distance record holder and former SAASS student, Kendell Simon, captured the hearts of many during day 2 of Grenada’s National Championships in track and field on Sunday 16, 2025.
Competing in the Open Girls 3000m event, she finished in second place with a time of 11 minutes and 54 seconds point 3 seconds. Although she did not cross the finish line in the first place, her performance and what happened afterward made her the true winner in the eyes of those cheering from the stands at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.
What made Azaria’s performance stand out was the fact that, a 9-year-old was able to hold her own while competing against girls much older than herself, demonstrating great resilience in the process. From the start of the race, Azaria managed to keep up the pace and showed impressive form.
From the third lap onward, she took the lead in the race, maintaining her pace enduring 7.5 laps around the track until Kiayanna Alexander from Classic Lighting Finishline SP (FLSC) overtook her in the final 10 meters, finishing in first place with a time of 11:53.5. Coming in third was Seriah Philip, also from FLSC, with a time of 11:57.2.
Although Kiayanna Alexander deserved recognition for placing first, the spotlight was on young Azaria. Even more impressive was the fact that while many required medical assistance to be carried off the field following the conclusion fo the race, Azaria was able to walk off the track on her own, showing little signs of exhaustion.
Her father, Kendell Simon, now a coach at Grenada Christian Academy, said he is extremely proud of his daughter’s accomplishment.
“Watching her excel in the same sport I once competed in fills me with immense pride,” Kendell said. “It brings back memories of my own experiences while giving me the joy of seeing her grow and succeed. I often find myself sharing tips and advice based on my experiences to help her navigate her own path in the sport.”
It was truly a proud and unforgettable moment for a proud father as Kendell expressed that watching her dominate the race was incredible. He said, “Of course, I cheered her on, and the emotions were overwhelming. Her talent is undeniable, so her performance did not come as a surprise. One thing I’ve noticed about her is that she always rises to the occasion. That unwavering determination is one of the key reasons her mother and I decided to have her compete in the 3000m race.”
Kendell admitted that his experience as a long-distance runner has played a significant role in shaping Azaria’s training and approach to competing.
He told NOW Grenada that through his guidance and coaching, he taught Azaria the importance of pacing, maintaining a strong mindset, and pushing through fatigue. He emphasized that discipline and proper preparation are core values. However, he also allowed her the space to develop her own unique style and natural ability.
“Since her inception into the sport, I have been coaching Azaria. She is with me on the track most days, but she does not train every single day—after all, she is still a child. My focus has been on improving her endurance and mental preparation,” he explained.
A key strategy that contributes to her exceptional performance, as noted by her father, is that he trained her to always stay at the front of the pack and to understand that those who can endure the most pain will ultimately win the race.
“Azaria began training at a much younger age than I did, which gives her a significant advantage. Developing endurance and technique from an early age has laid a strong foundation for her future success. This foundational work is vital, and I am excited to see how she continues to grow as an athlete,” he said.
Despite her promising future in track and field, Azaria, like any athlete, has faced setbacks. Her father shared that there have been moments when she struggled with fatigue or did not achieve the results she had hoped for. During these times, he had to remind her that setbacks are a natural part of the journey and not a reflection of her abilities.
“We talk about the importance of resilience and learning from every experience. I encourage her to focus on progress rather than perfection. From a young age, Azaria has always wanted to be on TV. Her mother and I told her that winning races would help her achieve that goal. She enjoys the attention and recognition of being a champion, but most importantly, she loves making me proud. I consistently reaffirm how proud I am of her whenever she competes. Having me as her father and coach certainly gives her an advantage. With my experience, I can guide her in the right direction by knowing the best workouts to give her and when to address the mental aspects of her races,” he told NOW Grenada.
Azaria is quite optimistic about her future in the sport. She compares her situation to that of her coach, who wasn’t even considering competing at her age, let alone running alongside her seniors. “Azaria’s ultimate goal in distance running is to leverage her abilities to secure the highest level of education possible and potentially develop a professional career. We aspire for her to win medals at the Olympics. She has to be the best, and with her talent and dedication, the sky is the limit,” he stated.
Azaria definitely has big shoes to fill, as her father dominated long-distance track and field races during his prime. He set multiple records in the 800 meters and 1500 meters, finishing with impressive times of 1:56 and 4:09, respectively. Additionally, Kendell holds intercollegiate records in both the 800 meters and 1500 meters, with times of 1:53.3 and 3:57, respectively. In additional also holding Carifta record as a junior.
