Top Scots award for world runner-up Bankier

Badminton player Imogen Bankier was last night named Scottish Sportsperson of 2011 after her silver medal in the mixed doubles at the World Championships.

At the Commonwealth Games Dinner in Glasgow, she was one of a number of sportsmen and women to be honoured. The dinner also marked 1,000 days to go until the Games in the city.

Bankier won the Lonsdale Trophy after becoming the first player representing Scotland to make it to a World Badminton Championships final. She and English partner Chris Adcock finished runners-up at Wembley Arena to the Chinese world No.1 pairing. Bankier also received a £1,000 prize, while the other shortlisted entrants, swimmer Hannah Miley and junior cyclist John Paul, each received £500. Miley won World Championship silver in the 400m individual medley, while Paul is World Junior sprint champion.

Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said: “Imogen is a worthy Lonsdale Trophy winner, and I would like to wish her all the best as she looks towards London 2012, and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.”

Kayaker Sean Redmond, 16, was Junior Sportsperson of the Year and swimmer Craig Benson, 17, was Athlete of the Youth Games, having won three golds in the Isle of Man. He was also a Scottish Sports Aid Merit Award winner with Redmond, hammer thrower Kimberley Reed, triathlon’s Grant Sheldon (17) and weightlifter Colette Will, 18.