![Shanghai, China. 3rd May, 2014. Silver medalists Latvia's Aleksandrs Samoilovs (L) and Janis Smedins pose during the awarding ceremony for the men's event of 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Shanghai PPTV Shanghai, China. 3rd May, 2014. Silver medalists Latvia's Aleksandrs Samoilovs (L) and Janis Smedins pose during the awarding ceremony for the men's event of 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Shanghai PPTV](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/E05MYW/shanghai-china-3rd-may-2014-silver-medalists-latvias-aleksandrs-samoilovs-E05MYW.jpg)
Shanghai, China. 3rd May, 2014. Silver medalists Latvia's Aleksandrs Samoilovs (L) and Janis Smedins pose during the awarding ceremony for the men's event of 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Shanghai PPTV
![Aleksandrs Samoilovs (L) of Latvia celebrates with his team mate Janis Smedins after winning their Rio Open men's beach volleyball final match against Markus Bockermann and Lars Fluggen of Germany on Copacabana Aleksandrs Samoilovs (L) of Latvia celebrates with his team mate Janis Smedins after winning their Rio Open men's beach volleyball final match against Markus Bockermann and Lars Fluggen of Germany on Copacabana](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2CRJT8B/aleksandrs-samoilovs-l-of-latvia-celebrates-with-his-team-mate-janis-smedins-after-winning-their-rio-open-mens-beach-volleyball-final-match-against-markus-bockermann-and-lars-fluggen-of-germany-on-copacabana-beach-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-september-6-2015-the-rio-open-of-beach-volleyball-is-a-test-event-for-rio-2016-olympic-games-reuterssergio-moraes-2CRJT8B.jpg)
Aleksandrs Samoilovs (L) of Latvia celebrates with his team mate Janis Smedins after winning their Rio Open men's beach volleyball final match against Markus Bockermann and Lars Fluggen of Germany on Copacabana
![Samoilovs Šmēdiņš on Twitter: "FIVB honors: 🏆 Aleksandrs Samoilovs: Sportsperson of the Year 🏆 Janis Smedins: Best setter (second time in career) #SAMSME #beachworldtour https://t.co/ZtR0AJ8jFZ" / Twitter Samoilovs Šmēdiņš on Twitter: "FIVB honors: 🏆 Aleksandrs Samoilovs: Sportsperson of the Year 🏆 Janis Smedins: Best setter (second time in career) #SAMSME #beachworldtour https://t.co/ZtR0AJ8jFZ" / Twitter](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmMRF1cX0AEE4lK.jpg)