After what has been an incredible year, winning double gold in the 100m and 200m, and setting a new world record at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, Borders wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn has topped her year off with winning the prestigious Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Personality of the Year 2017.
Sammi is the first para athlete to win the award and after her achievements this year, deservedly so.
On a sparkling evening celebrating Scottish Sport, Sammi firstly picked up the Disability Sport Award, within a strong category alongside fellow athletes Martin Perry (Table Tennis) and Danni Joyce (Swimming).
Sammi was then nominated in the Scottish Personality of the Year category sponsored by sportscotland. Here, she was up against a host of other of other Scottish sports stars and as she made her way to collect her award was greeted with a standing ovation and rapturous applause.
After receiving the award, Sammi said: “I was so stunned when my name was called. It means so much to be the first para athlete to win the award. I believe so strongly in para athletes getting the recognition they deserve.
“I’m really proud to hopefully start a long line of disabled athletes winning the main award.”
Although the sprints are Sammi’s strongest events, she has turned her sights towards the Commonwealth Games, where she hopes to represent Scotland in the marathon.
She has already completed the Chicago marathon this year and although her training regime is totally different, she is determined to pull on the Scotland vest at the Gold Coast in 2018.
“My 100m and 200m events aren’t included in the Commonwealth Games, so I’ve decided to switch to the marathon. I’m determined to do my country proud.”
The top award is an amazing achievement for such a deserving athlete. Congratulations Sammi!
You must be logged in to post a comment.