Kinghorn awarded Glasgow Sports Person of the Year 2017
The accolades keep on coming for wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn. In the past year she has dominated her track events, culminating in two world titles and a world record at the World Para Athletics Championships in London.
On Friday evening in the beautiful surroundings of Glasgow City Chambers, Sammi was awarded the top title of the night, Glasgow Sports Person of the Year. Sammi’s win says such an enormous amount about her achievements in the past year. The standing ovation which accompanied her on her way to collect her award, said it all.
Earlier in the evening she won Glasgow Para Athlete of the Year in a strong group of fellow contenders Martin Perry (TableTennis) and Robert Barr (Bowls). She is definitely going to need a bigger trophy cabinet.
Her sights now turn to the Commonwealth Games and she has only just returned from a training in camp in Tenerife. Although, perhaps not her favourite distance, Sammi’s desire to pull on the Scottish vest is more than enough to keep her focused and endure the arduous training regime a marathon warrants.
The evening had several para athletes up for awards. Jack McComish, a member of the City of Glasgow Swim Team, was up for student athlete of the year, after a great year in the pool and his achievements at the Deaflympics. And Dean Thornton, a member of the Scotland Cerebral Palsy Football team, picked up the Young Volunteer of the Year trophy for his work with young frame football players. A tremendous achievement for the young football player.
Free Wheel North, a cycling hub specifically for people with disabilities based at Glasgow Green, won Community Project of the Year, based on their totally inclusive approach to cycling.
The recognition for para-athletes and para sport is now more widely acknowledged and with another award to her name Sammi Kinghorn will definitely one to watch in years to come.
Glasgow Coach of the Year goes to Ian Mirfin MBE
Ian Mirfin MBE, wheelchair racing coach at Red Star Athletics Club, was awarded Glasgow Coach of the Year at the annual Glasgow Sports
Awards at the City Chambers in Glasgow on Friday evening.
After a phenomenal year with athlete, Sammi Kinghorn, Ian picked up the award ahead of fellow nominees, Ian Wright (City Of Glasgow Swim Team) and another great coach to para sport, Terry McLernon MBE (Drumchapel Table Tennis Club).
Ian has been coaching athletics for over 25 years, founding Red Star Athletics Club in Glasgow with his wife Janice Eaglesham MBE. He has coached a wealth of para athletes in his time, including the late Karen Lewis-Archer, at World and Paralympic level.
At Red Star there are now a number of wheelchair athletes coached by Ian, who have the potential to make their names in wheelchair racing.
Over the past year, Ian has seen Sammi excel at World level and through his knowledge and expertise has transitioned Sammi’s training programme from sprints to marathon training in her quest for glory at the Commonwealth Games in a couple of months’ time.
Ian deserves all the plaudits he can get after not just a fantastic year, but a lifetime of coaching which has led to so many athletes’ success.
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