Most searched sports stars in China in 2013 (6)

No. 6 Sun Yang — Chinese swimmer

Olympic winner, world record holder, hero of Chinese sports, high-paid player, young and handsome, 22-year-old Sun Yang had lots of noble titles. However, he became a sinner and got barrage of public criticism after he was found driving without license in a car accident. Then he was fined 200 yuan ($32.8) by police and given a week-long detention. In addition, he was suspended from all competitions and national team training and commercial activities.

Pamela Roberts, a commentator in Swimming World Magazine, appealed for leniency on Sun Yang, saying “Don’t forget, these athletes are human beings.” People understand youth are easy to make mistake because they are young, but being a youth is not an excuse to make mistakes.

At the end of the year, Sun was named the Male World Simmer of Year 2013 by Swimming World Magazine. Instead of celebration, he apologized again and promised “I have grown up and matured. I will work harder, discipline myself and correct my mistakes.”