The Samsung Most Valuable Player award was awarded to Mohammad Saleh for his two gold medal performances in the 5K and 10K open water swims at the first Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia.
Mohammad, a 22-year-old Syrian Olympian, was selected from the total of nine nominees. The other nominees were five Indonesians, Andi Adiandsyah-Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro (beach volleyball), Gusti Ngurah Arya Yudapandita (beach pencak silat), Dede Suryana (surfing), Asrelawandi (beach body building), Oka Sulaksana (wind surfing) and three Chinese, the women's sepaktakraw team, Ni Xiaowen (sailing) and Lee Chi Wo (triathlon). With a 19th-place finish in the Beijing Olympic 10K Marathon Swim, Mohammad finished up his season on a truly high note.
Photos of victorious Mohammad in the water were taken by Firdia Lisnawati of the AP.
Copyright © 2008 by World Open Water Swimming Association
