Borders Paralympians recognised in King's New Year's Honours
Borders wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn says she's "incredibly humbled" to be awarded an OBE in the King's New Year's Honours.
The 28-year-old, from Gordon, Berwickshire, was previously awarded an MBE for Services to Disability Sport.
And the latest honour provides a fitting end to what she describes as the "perfect year", topped off by her first Gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
"It's crazy," she told Greatest Hits Radio.
"When I received my MBE I was absolutely over the moon. I was able to take my mum and dad and my partner (to the ceremony), and it was such a beautiful day.
"And knowing now that I'll get to do that all again... and now an OBE, it stunned me, to be honest. I'm incredibly humbled."
Last month, Sammi - who came home with five medals from Paris - was crowned Para Athlete of the Year at the Scottish Sport Awards.
She was also named ClubSport Berwickshire's Sports Personality of the Year for 2024.
And the former Earlston High School pupil hopes her latest achievement will inspire more young stars from our region go on to achieve their sporting goals.
Sammi said: "It's been a pretty perfect year and I think I'll struggle to do other years as perfect.
"It's not something I ever thought I would be given."
But she added: "I hope that it shows young kids or people with a disability that we can achieve incredible things, and we also deserve to be recognised for what we are achieving."
Meanwhile, fellow Paralympian Stephen Clegg has been awarded an MBE for services to swimming.
The 29-year-old, from Newcastleton, won two gold medals in the pool in Paris this summer.
Speaking following the Scottish Sports Awards earlier this month, he said this year had been "as close to perfect as he could have hoped for".
"It worked out great," he added. "And it was great to be able to pay back all the hard work my team had put in around me, and all the sacrifices they have to make."
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