BORDERS wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn has become the first para-sport athlete to win the Scottish Sportsperson of the Year award.

The 21-year-old from Gordon has broken World and European records this season.

And yesterday she was recognised with the accolade in Edinburgh, which has been won in previous years by the likes of Sir Andy Murray, Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Katherine Grainger.

Speaking after the announcement, Sammi said: "When you see yourself up against great athletes like Danii Joyce and Gordon Reid, you don’t expect to win.

"It’s amazing to even be thought of as one of the best para-sport athletes in Scotland but to actually win is incredible and then to win Scottish Sportsperson of the Year as well, that’s something I never thought of. 

"To hold the trophy and Andy Murray’s name is on it and all the greats of Scottish sport, knowing that your name is going to be there too is really special.

"I don’t think there’s been a para athlete that’s won it in the past, so be to be the first is pretty cool. It means the world to me to have my family and friends here tonight. 

"To have the people there who have stood by you through all the hard times and all the good times, and to know that they’ll always be there for you, that’s really special."

Sammi’s success came on a superb night for athletics with double European Indoor Champion Laura Muir being named Female Athlete of the Year and her coach Andy Young lifting the Coach of the Year award. 

Scottish Athletics also took the award for Sport Governing Body of the Year for the second year in succession.