Stirling University swimmer Duncan Scott has won the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Sportsman of the Year for the second year in a row.
The Olympian beat fencer Stefano Lucchetti and rower Matthew Brigham to the top prize, which Scott described as a career highlight.
The swimmer was commended for his performances in the BUCS short and long courses, where he brought 12 medals back to Stirling in the past year.
This award is just one of a long line of career accolades which include two Olympic silver medals, the 2020 Scottish Students Male Athlete of the Year and a gold medal at last year’s Aquatic World Championships.
The title was award by Wales Rugby international Aaron Wain who said: “In the past year Duncan won 11 gold medals in BUCS competitions, breaking two Scottish records in the process. He also won two World Championship medals, five medals at the British Championships and broke the 100m freestyle record.
“It is impossible to ignore the success Duncan has had this year and we all wish him the best of luck at the Olympics.”
Talking after receiving his award, Scott said: “I am delighted and humbled to receive the BUCS Sportsman of the Year award for the second year in a row. There’s a wealth of sporting talent from UK universities competing at the highest level and it’s an honour to be recognised among those.
“This award also recognises all of those who support me both in and out of the pool – my friends, family and the coaches and staff at the University of Stirling, British Swimming and Scottish Swimming. It is a great way to end a successful year – and we’re now focused on preparing for our 2021 events, including the World Championships and Olympics in Japan.”
Scott will be representing Team GB at the delayed Tokyo Olympics next summer.
He said: “I’m just going to go into Tokyo with the same attitude I had for Rio. Tokyo may be the pinnacle but if it isn’t, then Paris 2024 might be. 2028 might be.
“The wonderful thing with sport is that you never know when you’re going to hit your peak. It’s just about trying to manipulate when you think you’re going to be at your best that year. For me, my career is about longevity and continuing to make all the improvements.”
Featured Image Credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images
4th Year Journalism Studies and Politics Student at Stirling University. Sports Editor. Bylines in Brig Newspaper and The Oban Times
