BOXING star Josh Taylor and para-athletes Maria Lyle and Micky Yule are among the nominees for this year’s NRS Scottish Sporting Awards.

Taylor, from Prestonpans, has been nominated for the breakthrough performance of the year award following his successes in the last 12 months. 

East Lothian Courier:

Taylor, pictured above by Jennifer Charlton Photography, earlier this month successfully defended his title against Winston Campos in Glasgow, extending his undefeated professional record to 12 wins.

READ: Josh Taylor dismantles Humberto Soto inside three rounds to retain title and undefeated record

And the former Preston Lodge High School pupil has been tipped to fight for a world title at some stage this year.

READ: Barry McGuigan tips Josh Taylor for world title bout

Elsewhere, former army staff sergeant Yule, from Wallyford, lost both legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device while on duty in Afghanistan in 2010. 

He was medically discharged from the army after the incident and turned his attentions to powerlifting, where he went on to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. 

The 39-year-old dad-of-two, pictured below by Andrew Matthews/PA Wire, is also preparing to compete in his second Commonwealth Games, with selection for the Gold Coast event next month adding to his appearance in Glasgow four years ago.

East Lothian Courier:

Yule, whose fame increased recently when he took part in a television show that saw him become the first disabled athlete ever to take on the skeleton – one of the most dangerous Winter Olympic sports – has been nominated for male para-sport personality of the year. 

He faces competition from runner Derek Rae, tennis star Gordon Reid and table tennis ace Martin Perry for the top award.

Meanwhile, Dunbar Grammar School pupil Lyle, 18, pictured below by Victoria Jones/PA Wire, is nominated for the female para-sport personality of the year award. 

East Lothian Courier:

Like Yule, the teenager is preparing to travel to the Gold Coast, where she will make her first Commonwealth Games appearance, having also been part of Paralympics GB in Rio two years ago.

The sprinter, who has cerebral palsy, is a former 100m and 200m world record holder in the T35 category and has set her sights on returning from Australia with a medal.

In the awards she competes with long jumper Amy Carr, cyclist Katie Ford and wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn.

The awards ceremony takes place next Friday at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House.