WORLD champion boxer Hannah Rankin says she hopes her latest award win will act as more encouragement to young people to take up sport.

The former Hermitage Academy pupil was named 'sportswoman of the year' at the Scottish Women in Sport awards ceremony in Glasgow last week.

The boxing bassoonist from Luss was not present at the Scottish Women in Sport awards ceremony in Glasgow on Friday, November 8, as she is in the midst of final preparations for a world title-defending bout in Malta at the end of this month.

But she was honoured to hear the news that she had come out on top in the UWS-sponsored category, with good friend Daldeep Kaur accepting the prize on her behalf.

READ MORE: Hannah Rankin to defend world title in Malta bout

Rankin told the Advertiser: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won sportswoman of the year – I was really surprised actually.

“I was up against someone I really admire in the sporting world in [European 800m champion] Laura Muir.

“She is a big inspiration to me watching her compete and finding that eighth gear in races, she has a massive heart.

“I was also up against Seonaid McIntosh [Britain’s most successful female rifle shooter in history] so, for me to win, it was a very proud moment.”

Rankin will face unbeaten Swede Patricia Berghult on Wednesday, November 27 in a first defence of the IBO super-welterweight title she won in Paisley in June, which made her Scotland’s first ever female world boxing champion.

And she’s pleased that her efforts are not going unnoticed.

READ MORE: First US win for world champion Rankin

She said: “I’ve worked really hard and I’ve been really focused on achieving the most I can and inspiring others to get involved.

“I’ve travelled to some great places and taken part in some amazing camps; I’ve been really lucky to have been able to do that.

“As a world champion you have a big responsibility, everybody is looking up to you to be an inspiration to your people.

“It’s a massive responsibility and something I take quite seriously. It’s important to be able to show young girls, and young boys, that there are opportunities to come through and progress in this sport.

“We want them to be involved and to be at the forefront of that is very special.”

Rankin remains firmly focused on her next fight and also has high hopes for the future of women’s boxing.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of fighting someone undefeated,” she said, “and bringing home another belt for Scotland.

READ MORE: World title win 'one of the best nights of my life', says Hannah

“This year has been a real pivotal year for women’s boxing and we have showcased that women can do just as much or more than men.

“There is nothing to say we can’t [go to 10 or 12 rounds] to match the men.

“Other sports like the UFC do it and there is no difference.

“Women can do it - I feel quite capable, and it would add a new level to the sport.

“It would bring an extra level of ability and right now the possibility for people to train harder and work harder and better their game is not there.

“I really think it can happen soon. Fingers crossed this year it will happen.”

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