Top award for Kyle
Kyle is latest Johnston to lift EK’s sporting award
EK Personality of the Year
Cyclist Kyle Johnston made history on Saturday night as he lifted the East Kilbride Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 21-year-old from Calderwood followed in the footsteps of his uncle Bud Johnston and father Raymond Johnston to claim the prize – and it’s the first time three members of the one family have had their name etched on the winners’ shield.
Kyle fought off competition from the adult female winner, taekwondo athlete Stephanie Willis, to claim the overall prize at the Village Theatre.
Athletes were recognised for their achievements in 2017 and Kyle was part of the Scottish Team Pursuit squad which won the National Track Championships.
He also broke two longstanding Scottish records with the team in the 25-mile time trial and open team pursuit.
It means his name is on the list along with duathlon star Bud, who claimed victory in 1991, and triathlete Raymond, a champion in 1995 and 1996.
Kyle was over the moon to match the achievements of the elder Johnston’s.
He told the News: “For three members of the same family to win that big shield is quite something. It’s great to keep the list of Johnston winners going.
“It’s fantastic to win this award, especially as my dad can’t stop going on about the times he won it! “Now I’ve got one for myself. “I was really shocked to win. In your mind, you think you have done well but then you see the achievements of all the other athletes and you realise what you are up against.
“When I win a race, that’s great but then you move on. It’s only when someone puts up a big list of your achievements, like they did on Saturday night, that it sinks in what you have achieved.
“That’s when I was like: I did all that? When my name was called I still couldn’t believe it. I had to look around to check it was me they were talking about.
“It’s a real boost for my confidence and my big aim now is to go for the Commonwealth Games in 2020.
“To just miss out this year on making the Gold Coast was a real downer, so I really want to work as hard as I can to make it to Birmingham in four years’ time.”
During 2017, Kyle claimed multiple wins in the Scottish National Track league, claimed the Scottish Tack Champion Team Pursuit title and won bronze in the team sprint at the National Track Championships.
However, it is his record breaking success that he enjoyed most. He added: “The highlight was probably breaking the two records with the Scottish U23 team.
“The 25-mile time trial records had stood for 11 years and one of the members of that team back then was Graeme Obree [a former 400m pursuit world champion], so that was pretty special.
“My team is on the roll of honour at Scottish Cycling as well after we broke the Scottish team pursuit record. “Last year was great for me.” In another boost for Kyle, he has been backed by East Kilbride Community Trust, who have selected him as their sports ambassador for the town.
The Trust will sponsor and support Kyle in his endeavours going forward.
Monique McAdams, EKCT chief executive, said: “Kyle is the perfect example of home grown EK talent. He has shown immense self respect and discipline through his hard work and dedication to be the best version of himself.
“We were over the moon when he accepted the offer to be our sports ambassador and we are in no way surprised he won sports personality of the year.
“Kyle is an inspiration to East Kilbride youngsters and is an excellent example of who they should aspire to be like. Well done Kyle on behalf of all the EKCT Trustees.”
Kyle said: “It’s a real honour to be an East Kilbride Community Trust ambassador.
“To get that support and then win the sports awards... the last few weeks have been great.”
• For more coverage of the awards, see pages 62 and 63.
It’s great to keep the list of Johnston winners going Kyle Johnston