Sammi Kinghorn: 'I don't do my sport to win awards, I just do it because I love it'

Gordon wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn has been crowned ClubSport Berwickshire's Sports Personality of the Year for 2024.

It follows the 28-year-old's success at the Paralympic Games in Paris, where she won five medals - including her first Paralympic Gold, in the T53 100 metres.

The former Earlston High School pupil also picked up the prize for Para Athlete of the Year at the Scottish Women in Sport Awards earlier this month.

Sammi told guests at the prize-giving ceremony in Duns last night (Friday): "I don't do my sport to win awards, I just do it because I love it."

But she added: "It's always a really nice feeling when people support you - especially the Borders and Berwickshire."

Sammi - who got involved in wheelchair racing in 2011, following an accident the previous year that left her paralysed - is also being backed by UK Athletics as part of the Paralympic world-class programme for the coming year.

Only athletes that are judged to have a realistic chance of winning medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games, or the Games in 2032, are nominated for the National Lottery-funded sports initiative.

When asked how 2024 compares to previous years in terms of her achievements, Sammi said: "I would say this year has been a stand out year for me. I think it would be my favourite year in sport.

"I was able to compete in a full stadium, with all my friends and family, and become Paralympic champion."

And she added: "It's always nice to be able to come home and hear about all the amazing things that people are achieving in their sport."

Meanwhile, a former gymnast who began weightlifting in her garden shed during lockdown has been crowned ClubSport Berwickshire's Junior Sports Personality of the Year.

Maddie Rosher showcased her skills in the Junior 71kg category at the European Junior & U23 Championships. With successful lifts at 85kg and 88kg in Snatch, she nailed a new Under 20 British Record.

And the 17-year-old Berwickshire High School pupil achieved this while juggling her school work. She wasn't able to pick up her prize at Duns Rugby Club as she is away training with Great Britain's junior team.

A hat-trick of Special Achievement Awards were also handed out on the night.

Duns driver Euan Thorburn picked up his prize after winning his FOURTH Scottish Rally Championship; former footballer turned coach Grant Keenan was also recognised for more than a decade of volunteering at Duns Juniors; while there was also praise for badminton players Millie McManus and Erin Doyle who earlier this year became the first Borders girls pairing to win a Scottish senior doubles title.

Erin was also named Junior Coach of the Year, after giving up more than 100 hours of her time already this year, to coach youngsters at Duns Badminton Club, while also studying for her exams.

And, staying with badminton, Peter Hardie was presented with a Service to Local Sport Award after serving 46 years with the same club.

During his time in post, he has helped coach around 3,000 players - over 50 of whom have gone on to represent Scotland - including one who went on to compete at the Commonwealth Games.

But the 77-year-old former Duns Citizen of the Year revealed he has no plans to retire just yet.

"It keeps me going," Peter told Greatest Hits Radio. "The reason that I'm involved was first of all because my daughter and son were involved. I like the kids to get the practice and going away to tournaments.

"Duns Badminton Club has really been good to me." And he added: "I want to keep going because our club's really strong just now."

Chirnside Bowling Club, which won the Berwickshire League after a gap of six years, was named Team of the Year; Berwickshire Riding for the Disabled picked up the Disability Award; while Susanne Simpson, from Duns Amateur Swimming Club, won Coach of the Year.

A Community Sport Project Award was also presented on the night for the first time. It was awarded to Gordon Community Sports Field Group, which raised around £50,000 to save the local football pitch, following the death of the land owner.

Jack Gracie, chair of Gordon Community Sports Field Group, said: "I was approached by someone who was very worried that the football team would never be able to play on there.

"I went to school in Gordon and had my sports day on there, and when that happend we kind of said that wasn't going to be the case.

"We wanted all the kids in Gordon to have a place to go, everyone in the surrounding communities as well."

While repairs still have to be carried out to a boundary wall, plans to host outdoor yoga and fitness classes are also on the agenda.

READ MORE: 'Shout out' to parents as local athletes recognised at ClubSport Tweeddale's annual awards

"It's fantastic," Jack said, referring to their award. "I think it's absolutely testament to all the hard work that goes in - all the volunteers, all the time and the effort it takes.

"I think it really showcases what can happen when a community comes together.

"The purchase of the field was £50,000 in total and for a community of less than a thousand people, that's a lot of money.

"But, with grants and ClubSport Berwickshire's support, we've really achieved something phenomenal. And it's a real testament to the volunteers and the people who are there on the ground day in, day out, making this happen.

"Everyone in the community can use the field now. There's Civic Week and the village hall, and the primary school can use that for their sports days.

"It's something that's now firmly in our hands, and we plan to make it grow and prosper."

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