Sammi Kinghorn, a Scottish wheelchair racing champion, suffered a serious injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down. The accident, which occurred in 2010 when she was just 14 years old, happened when a forklift truck overturned on top of her while working on her family farm.
Despite the setback, Kinghorn was determined to continue with her athletic pursuits and turned to wheelchair racing.
As a T53 para-athlete, she has since become a world champion, holding the record as the fastest female British wheelchair racer over 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m, regardless of classification. She has won numerous medals in domestic competitions and set Scottish records in the 100- and 200-meter races.
In 2013, Kinghorn was named one of the competitors for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she took part in the T54 1500m and finished fifth in the final after qualifying third in her heat.
Kinghorn has also been named Glasgow’s Disabled Athlete of the Year and chosen as an athlete ambassador by Harper Macleod.
Sammi Kinghorn Accident Details
Kinghorn’s life changed dramatically when a tragic incident occurred in December 2010. While helping her dad clear snow at their farm, Sammi climbed onto a forklift truck that her dad was driving.
However, her dad was not aware of her presence and lowered the beam on top of her, causing a severe injury to her spinal cord. She was required to undergo emergency surgery. She was hospitalized for almost six months in a Glasgow hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries.
Unfortunately, the accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, and she had to rely on a wheelchair for mobility.
During her time in the Spinal Injuries Unit at the Southern General Hospital, the athlete’s physiotherapist took her to Stoke Mandeville Stadium to participate in the WheelPower Inter Spinal Games.
It was there that she was introduced to a variety of wheelchair sports, leading to her taking up wheelchair racing. She was elated to discover that she could compete in sports despite being confined to a wheelchair. She said that sports helped her accept her condition and cope with it.
What Happened To Sammi Kinghorn?
Kinghorn’s accident didn’t just affect her; it also impacted her family. Her mother spent the first few weeks in the hospital with her and had to quit her job.
The paralympian felt guilty that her family had to deal with the aftermath of the accident, too. She stated that people tend to forget about the challenges that the families of individuals with disabilities face.
Despite the challenges that came with her injury, the athlete did not allow it to hinder her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a top athlete. She represented Team GB at the 2014 IPC European Championships in Swansea and went on to win Britain’s first gold medal in the T53 Women’s 400m event, as well as gold medals over 100m and 800m.
May also competed for Team GB at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she finished 5th and 6th in the 100m and 400m T53 events, respectively, but was disqualified in the 400m.
In 2017, the athlete achieved a sprint double at the World Para Athletics Championships, winning both the 100m and 200m events. She also debuted over the marathon distance in an attempt to qualify for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Samantha continued to make impressive strides in her career, and in June 2021, she was in Manchester for the British Athletic Championships, where she finished second in a mixed classification 400m wheelchair race, behind Hannah Cockroft, with Mel Woods in third place.
Sammi Kinghorn Health Update
Sammi Kinghorn is a remarkable wheelchair racer who has overcome a life-changing injury to become a successful athlete. Despite the significant challenges she faced, she didn’t let her injury stop her from pursuing her dreams. She discovered wheelchair racing during her rehabilitation, and she has been competing at the highest level ever since.
In spite of her success, Samantha remains humble and grateful for the opportunities she has had. In a recent health update, she shared that she is fit and fine, and she continues to enjoy life to the fullest.
She loves traveling and experiencing new adventures, as can be seen from her Instagram account. Sammi is a role model for many individuals all around the world, to sum up.
She continues to thrive and accomplish amazing things despite the challenges she has experienced. Her experience serves as a motivational example that anything is feasible with dedication, determination, and a positive mentality.
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FAQs
Who is Samantha Kinghorn?
Samantha May Kinghorn, also known as Sammi Kinghorn, is a Scottish wheelchair racer who has become a world champion. Kinghorn is a T53 para-athlete, and she holds the record as the fastest female British wheelchair racer over 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m, regardless of classification.
How did Samantha Kinghorn get injured?
Sammi Kinghorn suffered a serious injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down. The accident, which occurred in 2010 when she was just 14 years old, happened when a forklift truck overturned on top of her while working on her family farm.
Where is Sammi Kinghorn from?
Sammi Kinghorn is from Scotland.
