She's only 18 but for Singapore Sports School Student Tao Li, this is the second year in a row that she has been crowned Sportswoamn of the Year.

Unfazed by pressure despite the presence of many world-beaters, she shone at the Fina World Cup in October. In the 100m butterfly, she caused a stir when she won the silver behind America's Natalie Couglin.

At the 12th Fina World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, She showed her class by qualifying for the final of the 50m fly. In doing so, she became the first Singaporean woman to reach the final of the World Championships. With a time of 26.80 seconds, she finished seventh in the final to become the highest placed Asian in the event. In addition, her timing of 59.07 seconds in the 100m fly semi-finals placed her ninth overall.

On the regional stage, she delivered with ease, winning SEA Games golds in the 100m back, 100m fly, 200m fly and 4x100m medley relay. For her fine performances not only against regional rivals but also against the world's best, Tao Li thoroughly deserves to be Singapore's Sportwoman of the Year.

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