Indoor Record-Holder Jill Camarena-Williams Back To Competing In Shot Put

Indoor Record-Holder Jill Camarena-Williams Back To Competing In Shot Put

May 21, 2015 by Meg Bellino
Indoor Record-Holder Jill Camarena-Williams Back To Competing In Shot Put




Two-time Olympian Jill Camarena-Williams still holds the American indoor record in the shot put in 19.89m, but she just hasn't been on the scene since competing in London in 2012. We caught up with her the weekend of the Tucson Elite Classic, one of the premiere throwing events in the country, to ask about her return to track and field, being a new mom, and how she plans to make the U.S. team for the World Championships in August.

1. You took quite a bit of time off and started your family. What has that been like? Did you miss competing? Do you think time away from the sport helped heal the injuries you were battling?

After London I had to get back surgery. I tried to compete the 2013 season but just could not get healthy. We had always wanted a family and so we decided it was time to try. It has been amazing going through the process of being pregnant, and then actually having the baby. I would not trade it for the world. It has been a blast being a mom. Miley is such a good baby and just full of life. She smiles constantly and is just so sweet. When I have a bad practice I just look at her and she smiles and it makes life better. I did miss competing and was very nervous coming back, but with a couple years off and all the hormones from pregnancy, my body really seemed to heal itself. I still have days where my back could be better, but it is so much better than before. I really am happy to be back competing and I love having Miley and Dustin by my side.

2. When and why did you decide to begin competing again?

In my mind, after London, I was not done. After my surgery and trying to come back again, my body just told me it was time to take a break. I always had it in my mind that I was coming back but then everyone was asking me how retirement was, haha, I guess I am officially the old lady throwing. About two months after Miley was born I knew I was going to compete again. I knew it would take some time to get back, but I was ready to put in the work.

3. Congrats on throwing the A standard! Did you think that throw would come so early on in the season, especially since it is your first since 2012.

Thank you! I was so excited to get the A standard, and to do it in my first meet back was just icing on the cake. Now that is out of the way, it is time to try and earn a spot on the world team. I knew I could hit the A standard because of how my training had been going, but after taking two years off of competing, I was really nervous about competing! Luckily my body remembered how to do it and it was so much fun to be there and hear the crowd cheering, and Miley crying a little!

4. How long have you been competing at the Tucson Elite Meet and why do you think it brings in some of the best names year after year? How did it get so big?

I think I have competed in the Tucson Elite since it first became a meet. Many many moons ago! Tucson is such a great place to compete because the weather is beautiful and consistent this time of year, for the discus throwers it generally has a great wind, plus it gives many of us not just one competition but two during a time where it is historically hard to find meets on U.S. soil because the collegiate system is into their championship season. Also with it being generally a throws only meet, the environment is fun and lively with music blaring and big throws flying! Its a competition, but we are all cheering for each other at the same time because we all know how hard each other works to be able to compete at this level.

5. Now with the standard out of the way, how are you preparing to make your next World Championship team? What do you think it will take to get there?

Well a lot has changed in the last two years. I am so excited for my event because we are not only getting people who can reach the standard, but we are getting girls who will eventually be medalists at the World Champs and beyond. I'm so glad to see the women shot putters sticking out the tough transition from collegiate to pro and really competing well on the world stage. Now with that being said, it certainly makes it tough for this old lady to try and get back on the world team. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I also know that with the help of my support group, and hopefully my experience at that level, I will be able to take one of those spots to Beijing. I need to keep working hard on getting my technique and get my strength back, and I definitely need a little luck on my side, and of course Dustin and Miley on the side line!