David Haye, Andy Murray, and Jenson Button Fly the Flag for British Sport

Following the remarkable achievement by David Haye on Saturday, coupled with Andy Murray's impressive victory in the Valencia Open on Sunday and Jenson Button's World Championship title last month, it appears that British sportsmen are at the forefront of world sport.

Let's start with the one the whole world is talking about. David Haye, otherwise known as "The Hayemaker," produced on Saturday night one of the most incredible performances seen in British boxing since the years of Lennox Lewis.

Ahead of the fight, and especially after the weigh-in the day before, nobody backed Haye to beat his opponent. And looking at Russia's finest boxer, Nikolai Valuev (a.k.a "The Beast From the East"), it's clear as to why that was.

The seven-foot tall heavyweight was found to be seven stone heavier (at 22st 8lbs) than his opponent from Britain (15st 8lbs) at the weigh-in, and in terms of boxing that's seven stone worth of more power packed into brutal punches.

But even that couldn't stop Haye, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, who achieved the impossible and beat Valuev on points to be crowned the WBA heavyweight champion of the world.

So how did he do it?

He followed his game plan meticulously; hit and don't be hit. He was quick, agile, and executed brilliant technique, which is something that, as you can imagine, is quite hard for a giant like Valuev to replicate.

After this fantastic encounter, what's next for Haye? In the words of the Hayemaker himself, "bring on the Klitschkos!"

Continuing the trend of British sporting achievement was our finest tennis player in many years, Andy Murray, who followed on from Haye's achievement the next day by beating Mikhail Youzhny to win the Valencia Open.

It was a convincing 6-3 6-2 victory for the Scot, who, after having a six-week injury lay-off for a wrist problem, has timed his return to form and fitness nicely with the ATP World Tour Finals in London fast approaching.

The win in Spain has added to what has been a terrific year for Murray.

He started by beating Andy Roddick to win the Qatar Open, and went on to win a few more titles before achieving his best ever result in the second Grand Slam of the year, the French Open, where he made it to the quarter-finals before losing to Chilean player Fernando Gonzalez.

Then came the grass court season as summer approached, and Murray wowed British crowds by winning the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club in London, before going on to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon, his best ever in what many consider to be the most prestigious Grand Slam in tennis.

A brilliant season all round by Murray; yet another sportsman doing his best to put Great Britain on the sporting map.

Finally, the last of the remarkable trio of British sportsmen this year is F1 driver Jenson Button, who's remarkable driving won him the World Drivers' Championship title, and helped give his team, Brawn GP, a well-deserved Constructors' Championship title.

At the very start of the season, before the incredible six wins out of seven races, it was increasingly unlikely Jenson Button wouldn't even be racing in Formula One, after his Honda team pulled out of the sport and were struggling to find a buyer.

But then stepped in Ross Brawn, and Brawn GP were formed, allowing Jenson Button, with the aid of having probably the best car on the grid, to show the world his true driving potential.

A combination of skillful driving, calm composure, and many years experience in the sport all culminated in Button taking the world title in a way extremely reminiscent to fellow Brit and McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton last year.

Both drivers won the title at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil, both with the same No. 22 car, both British, and both finishing fifth.

A brilliant year for Button, who not only is helping fly the flag for British sport and motorsport, but is also consolidating Britain's dominance in Formula One.

It has been a great year for sport in Britain, with these sporting role models providing inspiration to the next generation; the talent of the future who look at the likes of Haye and Murray and are inspired to achieve their goals, just like those men did.

Lastly, other British sportsmen and women who deserve a mention include:

Jessica Ennis, the rising star of athletics who shone in the Heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin earlier this year, and is expected to be one of Great Britain's stars at the London 2012 Olympics.

Ryan Giggs, the Manchester United football legend who has been majestic down the wing this season and has rolled back the years with several scintillating performances.

Mark Cavendish, the cyclist who delivered a superb sprinting performance in the Tour de France this year.

And finally, Andrew Strauss, the cricketer who captained England to a brilliant and well-deserved Ashes win over the Aussies this summer.

Overall, there have been many British sportsmen and women who have reached the pinnacle of world sport and done their very best to put Britain on the sporting map, providing the country with great sporting recognition and much needed inspiration to the next generation of top sporting talent.