Noah Williams is still navigating the grief that followed the passing of his coach, but it is a journey that has taken in Olympic medals and other impressive ‘side quests’ – the next of which comes at this weekend’s London Marathon.
David Jenkins had coached Williams for six years before his sudden death during a training camp in 2021.
The 24-year-old diver from Hackney was still coming to terms with that loss while preparing for Paris 2024 but it gave him a new motivation as he sought to honour the memory of a figure who changed his life in and out of the water.
“David was the kindest person I ever knew. He helped me become a better person,” said Williams.
“He was my coach for six years and then he passed away, and I felt sick.
“All I can remember from when I heard the news was that my heart felt like it was beating out of my chest.
“Nobody ever teaches you how to grieve, either. I'm probably still dealing with it now, I don't really know (how), but I guess it's part of life and it's something I'll always live with.”
Williams was battling internal doubts over his future in diving after finishing 27th in the men’s 10m Platform for Team GB in Tokyo on Olympic debut.
“Going into Tokyo when I did badly, I didn't really have a reason, I was just doing it for fun,” reflected Williams.
“I've gone to an Olympics, it's not worked out. Some things aren't meant to be. I was like, maybe I should just quit.
“I really struggled making that decision to be like, should I carry on or not? It's so mentally and obviously physically draining giving your best.
“If you have a reason, it makes it easier, that's for sure.”
While it was not the impetus Williams would ever have wished for, he found that reason after Jenkins’ tragic passing.
Williams paired Tom Daley to win silver in the men’s synchronised 10m platform at Paris 2024 and also claimed bronze in the men’s 10m platform.
That success in the French capital would also help him to navigate a future without the man who had been a guide for so long.
“I'd have trained for six years with him for him to pass away and then just chuck it away, put it in the bin and move on,” explained Williams.
“That was one of the reasons I was like, I'm going to give everything to diving.
“I really struggle to even talk about Dave. Now, because I did well and I feel like I've done him proud, that's why I'm able to talk about him which is a very good thing, and I'm glad I can. It's obviously hard.
“I got a tattoo for him. We always spoke about tattoos, and mine was, if I make it to the Olympics, I should get the Olympic rings tattoo.
“He said, I want to get a Crash Bandicoot because he lost a bet with a friend and he was going to get it on his bum. I got it but I didn't get it on my bum, because I wouldn’t be able to see it.
“I was scared I'd forget him. I don't know why, that was one of my biggest fears.”
Having bagged his pair of Olympic medals, Williams is now taking time to find out more about himself in a series of ‘side quests’.
Having conquered Kilimanjaro, Williams will hit the roads of his home city as he takes on the London Marathon on April 27 for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children’s Charity.
It is a cause close to his heart as he credits doctors at GOSH with saving the life of his sister, Jemima, and provides another outlet as he continues to navigate his ongoing journey with grief.
“At the moment, I’m just ticking side quests off. I climbed Kilimanjaro, that was fun. We did it,” he said.
“Even though I don't know what I'm doing with diving, I feel like I can figure out what else there is in life.
“While I'm in pain, that's where I can show my character. Even if I don't get that moment of clarity, I will be able to get through this.”
Sportsbeat 2025