Even without major international sporting events such as the Olympics and the World Cup, the year of 2011 saw changes in Chinese sports and the growth of Chinese athletes. In the ranking for last year's Top 10 Highest-earning Chinese Athletes by Titan Weekly, a popular Chinese sports newspaper, Li Na surpasses 2010's Yao Ming to seize the crown. 

? Also see: Top 16 highest-earning Chinese athletes of 2010

   Ding Junhui (丁俊暉)

   Sport: snooker

2010 ranking: 13 2011 earning: US$1.19 million

Despite his youth, Ding Junhui is considered the most successful snooker player ever in China. Born in April 1987, he is hailed as "China's snooker prodigy" and "the star of the East."

In 2011, Ding won the Masters snookers tournament for the first time and reached his first semi-final of the World Snooker Championship. So far, he has compiled more than 200 competitive century breaks and made four 147 maximum breaks on the professional stage.