BORDERS wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn has been labelled a “real inspiration” after she claimed her first Paralympic gold medal.
The 28-year-old, of Gordon, took top spot on the podium in the T53 100m with a stunning performance at Stade de France.
Kinghorn, who secured 800m and 1500m silvers in recent days, powered home ahead of Swiss star Catherine Debrunner to set a Paralympic record in 15.64 seconds.
The Borderer became the first non-Chinese athlete to win the title since Tanni Grey-Thompson 20 years ago in Athens.
Tears of joy streamed from her eyes as she greeted her family in the stands before dedicating the victory to her brother on his birthday.
"I just can't believe that I've done that," she said. "It's honestly absolutely blowing my mind.
"This one is definitely for my brother."
And sportscotland chair Maureen Campbell has been full of praise for Kinghorn.
"Sammi Kinghorn truly deserves this gold medal, adding to her two silvers she has won already,” she said. “Sammi has performed outstandingly at these Paralympic Games and to come away with three medals and a Paralympic record is sensational.
“Sammi has put in an extraordinary amount of effort into preparing for these games and truly deserves all the success that she has achieved in Paris. She is a real inspiration to the next generation of athletes."
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