The 2015 Asia Player of the Year race was one of the most hotly contested in history. It came right down to the wire this week with the ACOP finishing up as the last chance for players to earn themselves points. Now that all is said and done and the numbers have been calculated we have an official winner.

That honour goes to Hong Kong's Alan King Lun Lau who has had himself a stellar year on the felt.

Lau posted up an impressive 18 cashes throughout Asia, including two final tables and both the ACOP Platinum Series X Megastack and the ACOP Platinum Series IX Deepstack titles. His biggest score, however, came when he finished runner up in the MPC23 Baby Dragon for HK$272,700 (~$35,000).

For his Asia Player of the Year achievement, Lau becomes a part of poker history. His name will soon be engraved into the permanent APOY trophy and he earns himself a one-year sponsorship with PokerStars LIVE.

Lau had a sweat this week before emerging on top of the leader board. KC Wong was hot on his heels in second place and making a deep run in the ACOP Main Event. That tournament would see the top 10 finishers receive APOY points, so when Wong ultimately finished in 11th place after losing a flip with ace-king to pocket tens, Lau locked up the APOY title.

The award ceremony just concluded here at PokerStars LIVE Macau which saw Lau surrounded by a group of friends and his partner Amy. He took to the microphone to thank the PokerStars staff for all their hard work this year, and then had something special in mind.

"Now that I have won APOY" he announced, "I would like to propose to Amy."

Amy's jaw dropped and the crowd cheered as Lau got down on one knee and presented her with a ring. Those who had gathered around let out a roar of excitement and chanted as he slid the ring on her finger and gave her a kiss.

What a way to top off an Asia Player of the Year title.

Congratulations Alan!