By Max Davies
WALLAN’S Kirra Wright has been named Junior Sportsperson of the Year in the 2021 Disability Sport and Recreation Awards, winning over three other finalists in the category.
The awards are a celebration of the achievements of sportspeople with disability and the coaches, organisations, officials and volunteers who support them, as well as an opportunity to discover notable champions and rising stars.
Wright’s nomination was covered by the Review in early November after she was named a finalist.
“I was very shocked, I didn’t expect to win,” she said.
She said winning the award was a nice surprise, and she was happy to receive the recognition.
Wright began athletics when she was nine and was classified as a T38 para-athlete at the age of 10. The same year she made it to the national cross country championships but was knocked back as she was too young, returning a year later to win two gold medals on the Sunshine Coast.
In April 2021 she competed at the national championships and medalled in the 400-metre event.
Wright said she planned to continue training and participating in athletics just as she had been doing since she was nine, and hoped to inspire all young athletes.
“It’s nice to have won and I’m still going to keep doing everything the same,” she said.
“I think all young athletes, no matter their ability or background, should have the chance to chase something they’re good at.”
