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outh Korean swimming champion Park Tae-hwan has again emerged as a top Most Valuable Player candidate at the Asian Games.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing committee (GAGOC) launched the MVP selection process at Tianhe Sports Center on Sunday evening.

“The Asian Games is a celebration of cooperation, true friendship and outstanding performance. The Samsung MVP award aims to recognize the most ou standing example of these values in an individual during the Guangzhou Asian Games,” GAGOC said in statement.

“With so many gifted athletes participating in the Games, we wish them all the best of luck as they strive to reach their potential and perform at their best,” GAGOC member and Guangzhou vice mayor Ruisheng said.

On Monday, the award selection committee announced a shortlist of 12 candidates which included Park — the 2006 Doha Asian Games’ MVP and a winner of three gold medals both in Guangzhou and in Doha.

China has eight athletes on the shortlist, South Korea has three and Japan has one.

The other South Korean on the list are Lee Dae-myung and Han Jin-seop, who each won three gold medals in men’s shooting.

China’s contenders include Su Yang, with two gold medals in men’s swimming; female swimmer Tang
Yi with four gold medals and gymnast Sui Liu, also with four golds. China’s Lin Dan was also included on the list with two gold medals in badminton.

Japan’s lone contender is Ryosuke Irie, who won three gold medals in men’s swimming.

The winner and four finalists will be announced by the steering committee at a ceremony on Friday, a day ahead of the closing ceremony. The winner will receive US$50,000 and a Samsung LCD TV.

The Samsung MVP award was first issued at the Bangkok 1998 Asian Games to commend the most outstanding athlete of the Asiad.