TOKYO — Utah Valley track and field throws coach Jill Williams traveled to Tokyo, Japan, last month as a women's throws coach for Team USA at the 2025 World Athletic Championships, held from Sept. 13-21 at the Japan National Stadium.

"It was an incredible experience for my own learning," said Williams. "I got to speak to different coaches from around the world and pick their brains on technique and strength training."

Williams, a two-time Olympian and silver medalist in the shot put at the 2011 World Athletic Championships in South Korea, served in a variety of roles during her trip with USA Track & Field, from helping athletes get situated at the stadium to coaching any athletes that didn't have their own coaches traveling with them.

In between helping athletes with their various needs, Williams was able to sit back and enjoy the world-class competition, witnessing numerous world records and American records fall. The American women took home two medals in throws events, with Valarie Allman taking gold in the discus and Chase Jackson taking silver in the shot put.

This past spring, Williams helped coach Utah Valley's first-ever thrower to All-American status, with Kelsi Oldroyd earning first team honors in the javelin at the NCAA Championships in June. Oldroyd narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Championships herself, taking fourth at the USA Track & Field Championships at the end of July. 

Williams is entering her seventh season on staff at Utah Valley. Williams joined Scott Houle's staff in 2019 after finishing her illustrious career that included eight USA indoor championships, two USA outdoor titles, a bronze medal at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, and two NCAA championships during her collegiate career at Stanford.