Duncan Scott capped off a spectacular year by being named Scottish Sportsperson of the Year at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in Edinburgh last night.
The 21-year-old University of Stirling swimmer has been the stand-out Scottish athlete this year, making history by winning six medals at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast before continuing his good form at Glasgow 2018, winning gold in the 200m freestyle in front of his home fans at Tollcross Pool, along with two relay golds and silver in the 100m freestyle.
It was these performances that saw Scott being named Male Athlete of the Year for the second time in succession last night before adding the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy for the overall title later in the evening to join the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray and Dame Katherine Grainger as recipients of the main award.
Female Athlete of the Year went to Laura Muir, with the Milnathort runner pipping cyclist Katie Archibald and diver Grace Reid to the title.
Muir has, over the past year, won her first major titles with double gold at the European Indoor Championships in March followed by gold at the European Outdoor Championships last month. The 25-year-old newly-qualified vet capped off her season a few weeks ago by winning the overall Diamond League crown over 1500m.
It was an excellent evening for the University of Stirling swimming programme as in addition to Scott’s wins, his coach Steven Tigg was crowned coach of the year.
Para-Athlete of the Year went to Neil Fachie, along with his pilot Matt Rotherham, after the pair won double gold at the World Para-Cycling Championships and repeating the same feat just two weeks later at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. And cycling was also named governing body of the year.
The Team Scot of the Year award went to 2012 Paralympic gold medallist David Smith. The para-cyclist has battled the odds in recent years, and recently represented GB at the Para-Cycling Road World Championships despite a recurring spinal-cord tumour and resultant paralysis following surgery.
Scotland’s cricket team won moment of the year following their One Day International victory over England while the national rugby team were named Team of the Year.
Alex Marshall MBE was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an outstanding, and still ongoing, career. Gold Coast 2018 was the lawn bowler’s sixth Games appearance, where he became Team Scotland’s most successful athlete. Young Athlete of the year went to 16-year-old diver Lucas Thomson after the teenager reached two finals at the Commonwealth Games and has collected three European Junior medals in recent months.
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