For paddler Gao Ning, 2007 was a breakthrough year. He got his season off to a flying start by winning the men's singles title at the India Pro Tour event -his first career singles triumph. Together with team mate Yang Zi, he also won the doubles title.

He continued his ascendancy with wins in the Asian Cup and Commonwealth Championships. Then there was the doubles victory at a Pro tour event in Austria. Displaying great consistency, he enjoyed success on an even bigger stage when he was placed in the Top 8 at the men's World Cup in Spain.

With these impressive results, he showed in no uncertain terms that he was steadily climbing up the world rankings. Indeed he was ranked world No 10 last year, an all time high for any male table tennis player in Singapore.

He then finished the year in grand style. At December's SEA Games in Thailand where he clinched gold in the men's singles, doubles and team events. All of which makes him a worthy winner as Singapore’s Sportsman of the Year.