We’re on the right track
Wheelchair wonder on hopes for future
It means so much to me to be the first para athlete to win the award
Wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn believes being the first para athlete to be crowned Scottish Sports Personality of the Year will change attitudes for ever.
The 21-year- old, who sprinted to double gold in the 100m and 200m at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London, believes her win will pave the way for other disabled athletes to scoop big sporting awards and help close the gap between disability and mainstream sport.
Sammi, of Melrose, in the Borders, who also triumphed in the Disability Sports category at the Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards, said: “Having won the disability award, you do hope you might go all the way and win the sports personality title.
“But then when you hear you are up against incredible athletes like cyclist Katie Archibald and rugby player Stuart Hogg, who have had great seasons, you think there is no chance. “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 recognit ion they deserve.
“I’m really proud to hopefully start a long stor y of disabled athletes winning the main award.”
The Scottish Sports Personality gong was sponsored by sportscotland, the national agency for sport. Sammi, who was paralysed from the waist down in an accident on her family farm when she was 14, admits 2017 has been an epic year.
She said: “To win double gold and break a world record at the world championships in front of a home crowd was incredible and now this – it doesn’t get much better.”
Sammi has switched to marathon racing so she can represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018.
She added: “My 100m and 200m sprint 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.”
Sammi’s double success was just one of the highlight’s of Thursday’s glittering ceremony at the Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central, hosted by comedian Fred MacAulay.
Golfer Paul Lawrie got a standing ovation when he picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers got the biggest cheer when he won Manager of the Year.
It was also the first time a four-legged athlete was honoured when Grand National Winner One For Arthur and the team behind him scooped the Editor’s Choice. More than 500 guests, made up of f inalists, sponsors and sports personalities and fans, enjoyed the action-packed evening.
The event, now in its 11th year, also raised £ 5695 for children’s charity NSPCC.
Sunday Mail editor Brendan McGinty said: “We are proud of all our events but this one was on a different level.
“Everyone who contributed – from Jack Nicklaus, who recorded a great tribute to Paul Lawrie, to the staff at the venue – made it a night to remember.”