The 39-year-old from Idaho proved one of the stars of London 2012 as she dominated the action at the Brands Hatch course in Kent, claiming victories in the individual time trial H1-2 and individual road race H1-3 events before joining her American teammates Matthew Updike and Oscar Sanchez to take a third gold in the mixed team relay H1-4.

"I came here for three golds and I got them," said Davis following her spectacular performance at London 2012.

"The relay was the one I was most nervous about.

"You don't want to let your teammates down."

Davis, a former alpine skier, now has seven Paralympic medals to her name, as she previously won a bronze at the Nagano 1998 Winter Paralympics and three silvers at the Salt Lake City 2002 Games.

The accomplished adventurer did not take part in her first international handcycling competition until 2010 at the World Championships, but after winning three silvers there and earning a place on USA's London 2012 team, she proved too much for her competition at Brands Hatch.

Muffy Davis dominated her competition in the handcycling events as she claimed three gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

Davis claimed 42 per cent of the public's vote on paralympic.org to win the honour as she beat off Australian swimmer Jacqueline Freney, who finished second with 29 per cent of the vote.

Hong Kong wheelchair fencer Yu Chui Yee, British equestrian rider Sophie Christiansen, British cyclist Sarah Storey and Dutch wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer were also finalists for the award but finished well behind Davis.

Unlike the usual system where there is an athlete of the month, the IPC awarded a winner for two months due to the London 2012 Paralympics taking place across both August and September.

There are separate awards for the best male athlete, best female athlete and the best team.

Davis' fellow handcyclist Alex Zanardi claimed the male prize after the Italian former Formula One driver claimed two Paralympic gold medals and a silver at London 2012.

The team winner is set to be voted for and named later this month.

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