sports

Kinghorn Sheds 'Silver Sammi' Tag In Style

Samantha Kinghorn wins gold in the 100m T53 - Women. Photo credit: imagecomms

Sammi Kinghorn powered to her first Paralympic title in record time with victory in the Women’s T53 100m final.

The Scot rebuilt her body after an accident left her with a spinal cord injury. That rebuilt body has now powered her to becoming a Paralympic champion.

Kinghorn was 16 when she was crushed by snow falling from the roof of her family farm but used wheelchair racing as a way to accept her new reality.

The now five-time Paralympic medallist also paid tribute to the Borders community who helped her get to the top of the world.

My physio at the time, Claire, in the spinal unit in Glasgow, was incredible. I loved sport before my accident and she got me into trying loads of different ones.

I tried wheelchair racing and Ian Thompson, Tanni Grey-Thompson’s husband, said ‘you could be good at this’. That was like a switch.

I’m very lucky to come from an incredible place in the Borders, they supported me and fundraised for me and now I’m Paralympic champion.

Sammi Kinghorn

It's actually my brother's birthday tonight, and he's in the stadium. When I saw the dates come out, and I’d seen that it was his birthday the night of the 100, I thought the 100 is probably my best shot of winning. This one is definitely for my brother.

Sammi Kinghorn