BORDERS wheelchair racer Samantha Kinghorn will take to the London track tomorrow as she aims for the first of four medals at this year's World Para Athletics Championships.

The 21-year-old from Gordon, who was paralysed from the waist down in an accident seven years ago, will start as favourite for the T53 200 metres after smashing the world record earlier this year.

Encouraging progress over the past five years has seen Sammi collect three golds at the European Championships in Wales back in 2014.

And the following year she reached her first World Championships podium by taking bronze over 200 metres in Doha.

Despite racing against more-able T54 athletes Sammi also qualified for the final of the 1500 metres at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

And encouraging performances at the Rio Olympics saw the Borders athletes reach the finals in all of her events.

But it is 2017 where the big leap has happened under coach Ian Mirfin.

During a tour of America earlier this year Sammi smashed the 200 metres world record by an incredible 0.26 seconds and went on to set new PBs and European records over 100 metres, 400 metres and 800 metres.

Samantha told us: "If I was to win a gold medal it would be incredible.

"It will be funny being introduced to the crowd as the 200 metres world record holder.

"I remember watching the 2012 Paralympics in London with David Weir and Johnny Cockroft and getting goosebumps.

"I told my mum and dad back then when we were watching on the television that I'd compete on that track... and here we are."

Sammi takes to the Olympic Stadium track for the 200 metres final tomorrow (Saturday) at 9.40pm.

She is back in action on Tuesday for the heats of the 400 metres at 12.50pm, with the final scheduled for the following day at 9.12pm.

On Sunday (July 23) Sammi will line up for the heats of the 100 metres at around 11am with the final taking place less than two hours later at 12.45pm.

And her final events will be on Sunday evening at 6.51pm where she lines up for the final of the 800 metres.

Sammi added: "Preparations have gone well.

"Going by times I am in with a chance of a medal at each event but there are two Chinese athletes who will be very strong and nobody knows how fast they will go.

"I am just excited about competing at the World Championships."