JAKE WIGHTMAN has added another accolade to what has been an incredible year having been crowned Scottishathletics’ Athlete of the Year.
Having become Scotland’s first world champion on the track for 31 years this summer, the 28-year-old pipped Eilish McColgan and Laura Muir to the award.
Wightman has enjoyed a remarkable season with his world 1500m title only the beginning as he went on to also win Commonwealth 1500m bronze and European 800 silver. He also collected three Diamond League victories and set Scottish records in the mile and 800m.
“It’s great. In a year where there’s been so many great performances from Scottish athletes, it’s a huge honour,” Wightman said of his award.
“I feel like this could have gone to any one of the three of us so I’m happy that not only my performances have been recognised but also Eilish’s and Laura’s because they’ve been really world class. I was sure it was going to be tied.”
Wightman’s gold medal in Eugene, where he defeated Norwegian sensation Jakob Ingebrigtsen, was his first piece of global silverware.
“What happened for me at the Worlds still feels a bit surreal – even a few months later,” he said. “You go into the sport as a kid and dream of being Olympic champion or World champion – but how many actually get that honour beside their name?
“I feel very grateful to have had that chance in Oregon and to have taken it. It was huge for my career and I have lots of ambitions left in the sport. But, one day, to be able to retire and say ‘I’m a world champion’ is a very special feeling.”
Performance Coach of the Year was Wightman’s father, Geoff, who coached his son to his hat-trick of major championships medals.
McColgan did not leave empty-handed, collecting the Commonwealth Games Achievement Award (Birmingham 2022) following gold in the 10,000m and silver in the 5000m.
Birmingham 2022 wheelchair marathon silver medallist Sean Frame was crowned Para Athlete of the Year while Under-20 Athlete of the Year was Megan Keith following her under-20 European cross-country title last winter.
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