Tunis — Following an annual forum organized by the daily Le Renouveau, swimmer Oussama Mellouli was unanimously elected by the 133 Tunisian sports journalists present as the best Tunisian sportsman in 2008.

It is the third time (2003, 2004) Mellouli wins the distinction; he precedes respectively the Taekwondo athlete Khaoula Ben Hamza, the Wushu Kungfu champion Issam Barhoumi, the weightlifter Khelil Maouia and the football player Wissem Yahia.

The distinction does not really come as a surprise to many if one looks at the swimmer's remarkable achievements this year, having successively won the Olympic gold medal in the 1500 m freestyle race, his major contribution to Tunisia's team victory in the 2008 African swimming championships in Johannesburg, South Africa, and his excellent performance in the various FINA world cup legs.

Le Renouveau sports forum, which runs this year in its 40 th edition, is considered as the most reliable jury in the country when it comes to evaluating sports performances.