Stirling-based swimmer Duncan Scott scooped the 2019/2020 ‘Male Athlete of the Year’ title at the Scottish Student Sport awards earlier this week.
The Olympian, who has won several personal accolades throughout his career, adds the prestigious award to his 2018 title of Scottish Sportsperson of the Year.
He has also competed at the Commonwealth games, European Games and the European Aquatic Championships.
Scott performed impressively at the 2019 World Aquatic Championships in Gwangju, South Korea where he won gold in the 4×100 metre medley relay, clinching a European record at the same time.
The swimmer secured first place for his team, taking Team GB from silver to gold with the final leg of the medley, after Luke Greenbank, Adam Peaty and James Guy served up a strong foundation on which to secure a medal.
He won Stirling University’s ‘swim of the decade’ for the performance.
He also made headlines for a different reason at the Championships, after refusing to share a podium with Chinese swimmer Sun Ying, who had previously been banned for breaking doping regulations. Scott was praised for his handling of the events.
This, alongside several other impressive performances in the past year helped Scott secure his position as Male Athlete of the Year.
Scottish Student Sport said: “Duncan is a superb ambassador for the University of Stirling, Team Scotland, Scottish Swimming and British Swimming.
“As well as winning multiple medals and setting new records, he continues to be a diligent student-athlete and is a shining example of what can be achieved when balancing sport alongside academia”.
In addition to Scott’s individual award, the University of Stirling’s Men’s Swimming Team won the ‘Team of the Year’ award following success in the BUCS season in both Long and Short Course titles.
The team made history in February after ending a 32-year winning streak for Loughborough University in the BUCS Long Course, finishing eight points ahead of the English University in the final standings.
Speaking of the achievement Scottish Student Sport hailed the team as “sensational”, in what they described as an “unrivalled year in the pool”.
Featured Image: SwimSwam
4th Year Journalism Studies and Politics Student at Stirling University. Sports Editor. Bylines in Brig Newspaper and The Oban Times
