THE mother of world record breaker Sammi Kinghorn today paid tribute to sponsor Mattioli Woods and declared: “She couldn’t have done it without you”.
The wealth management and employee benefits specialist has backed wheelchair racer Sammi – who was crowned world champion on Saturday - for more than four years.
She pulled off a stunning victory in the T53 200 metres final to clinch a gold medal at the world para athletics championships in London.
Sammi smashed her own record to finish in a winning time of 28.61 seconds.
Today, her mum Elaine said: “Mattioli Woods has sponsored Sammi right from the start. Without them, she would certainly not have achieved her dreams.
“She has become a world champion and world record holder through hard work, determination and a love for her sport.
“Mattioli Woods has enabled Sammi to travel to competitions, to achieve qualifying times needed to reach these goals, and to pursue her sport at the highest level”.
She added: “We, as a family, will be for ever grateful to Mattioli Woods for its sponsorship and support”.
Sammi – now 21 – was left paralysed from the waist down after a freak accident involving her father’s forklift truck in 2010.
She has gone on to achieve international success as a wheelchair racer, winning three European Championship gold medals in 2014 and a world bronze in 2015.
Moments after her record-breaking performance, she said: “It honestly means everything. This has been the dream since I started – to be world champion. I still can’t believe I can say it.
“I knew that if I could get out in front, hopefully I could stay ahead. I still can’t believe it.”
Mattioli Woods’ chief executive officer, Ian Mattioli MBE, said: “Sammi represents everything which our business stands for; a positive attitude and determination to succeed regardless of obstacles.
“We’re delighted at her record-breaking success and hope that our support for Sammi will continue to help to inspire others to achieve”.
Sammi is next in action tomorrow (Wednesday) when she competes in the T53 400m, and on Sunday has the chance to sign off the championships with a double medal success in the T53 100m and T53 800m.
