The Most Famous Athlete in China, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the athlete you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 22, 2024 08:02

In a nation passionately invested in sports, identifying the most celebrated athlete in China can spark intriguing conversations and healthy debates among fans. As new talents emerge and seasoned champions continue to inspire, tracking these changes captures the dynamic spirit of Chinese athletics. This ranking offers a snapshot of current favorites, reflecting public admiration and support. Your vote helps ensure that this list represents the true sentiment of sports enthusiasts. By participating, you contribute to a transparent reflection of which athletes resonate most with audiences today. This encourages a greater appreciation of the athletes' achievements and a deeper engagement with the sports community.

Who Is the Most Famous Athlete in China?

1

85
votes
Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA · CC BY-SA 3.0

Yao Ming

Yao Ming is a retired professional basketball player who played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players in Chinese history and is credited with popularizing the sport in China.
Yao Ming in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in China
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person in Asia
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Asian person
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Asian
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Chinese person
2

47
votes

https://www.flickr.com/people/koreanet/ · CC BY-SA 2.0

Sun Yang

Sun Yang is a Chinese Olympic swimmer who has won multiple gold medals at the Olympics and World Championships. He is known for his incredible endurance and is considered one of the greatest swimmers of all time.
3

33
votes
Tourism Victoria from Australia · CC BY 2.0

Li Na

Li Na is a retired professional tennis player who was the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title. She is considered one of the greatest tennis players in Chinese history and has helped to popularize the sport in China.
Li Na in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Chinese person
4

27
votes

Liu_Xiang_Doha_2010.jpg: Erik van Leeuwen derivative work: MachoCarioca (talk) · GFDL

Liu Xiang

Liu Xiang is a retired Chinese hurdler who won a gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2004 Olympics. He is considered one of the greatest hurdlers of all time and is a national hero in China.
5

13
votes
DerHexer · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ding Junhui

Ding Junhui is a professional snooker player who has won multiple titles in the sport. He is considered one of the greatest snooker players of all time and has helped to popularize the sport in China.
Ding Junhui in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous snooker player
6

13
votes

Zhang Yining

Zhang Yining is a retired table tennis player who is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. She won multiple Olympic gold medals and World Championships and is a national hero in China.
7

13
votes

Tksteven · CC BY-SA 2.5

Guo Jingjing

Guo Jingjing is a retired Chinese diver who won multiple Olympic gold medals in the sport. She is considered one of the greatest divers of all time and has helped to popularize the sport in China.
8

9
votes
Tksteven · CC BY-SA 2.5

Lin Dan

Lin Dan is a retired professional badminton player who won multiple Olympic gold medals and World Championships in the sport. He is considered one of the greatest badminton players of all time and has helped to popularize the sport in China.
Lin Dan in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous badminton player
- Position 4 of 10 in Most handsome badminton player
9

11
votes

Tksteven · CC BY-SA 2.5

Chen Yibing

Chen Yibing is a retired Chinese gymnast who won multiple Olympic gold medals and World Championships in the sport. He is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and has helped to popularize the sport in China.
10

3
votes

Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Jeon Han) · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ye Shiwen

Ye Shiwen is a Chinese Olympic swimmer who won multiple gold medals at the Olympics and World Championships. She is known for her incredible speed and is considered one of the greatest swimmers of all time.

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Ranking factors for famous athlete

Championships and awards won

A successful athlete who has won multiple championships and awards is likely to gain popularity among fans.
Social media following

The number of followers an athlete has on social media platforms is an important metric to determine their popularity in China.
Endorsements and sponsorships

Popular athletes often attract brands and companies that want to associate with them, leading to lucrative endorsement deals and sponsorships.
Media coverage

The amount of media coverage an athlete receives in China plays a significant role in their popularity.
International recognition

Representing China at international events and gaining recognition from global sports organizations can increase an athlete's fame in their home country.
Cultural impact

Athletes who go beyond sports and make a cultural impact through their social or political activism, philanthropy, or other activities are likely to be popular in China.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous athlete in China. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or athlete is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

4645 views
205 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each athlete once every 24 hours. The rank of each athlete is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous athlete in china

China, the most populous country in the world, has produced some of the most successful athletes in history. From table tennis to basketball, Chinese athletes have dominated various sports on both national and international levels. In recent years, the country has become a major player in the global sports industry, with the government investing heavily in infrastructure and training programs to produce world-class athletes. With this in mind, it's no surprise that there are many famous athletes in China, each with their own unique story and achievements. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most iconic and influential athletes that China has ever produced, and determine who can claim the title of the most famous athlete in the country.