NBA star Yao Ming has beat other Chinese celebrities to dominate the personal value ranking recently released by the China Brand Academy.

The 2.25-meter-tall center of the Houston Rockets edged out film star Zhang Ziyi and Super Girl winner Li Yuchun to top the ranking with a personal financial value of over 113 million yuan (about US$14 million).

Meanwhile, Athens Olympic champion Liu Xiang stands at number nine with 44 million yuan (some US$5. 53 million).

Also among the top 100 celebrities are diving stars Tian Liang and Guo Jingjing.

National soccer team coach Zhu Guanghu and his volleyball counterpart Chen Zhonghe are the only two coaches in the ranking.

Football stars Sun Jihai of English premier side Manchester City and Shao Jiayi of German Bundesliga second division team TSV Muchen 1860 have also made to the list.

Other sports stars include table tennis grand slam winners

Kong Linghui and Zhang Yining, Athens swimming champion Luo Xuejuan and tennis women's doubles champions Li Ting and Sun Tiantian.

(CRI English April 20, 2006)