I'd vote for Al'Lan Mondragoran as well. His power, speed, ability, knowledge and determination put him above all others I can think of from reasonable comparisons between worlds and styles.
*Wheel of Time Spoilers to Follow*
Rand vs Lan
I'm fairly certain Rand was never better than Lan. Lan was the premier swordsman of his age, although Demandred had more ability than Lan as far as pure swords skill was concerned, Lan was willing to sacrifice to achieve his aim, which made him better. At that point, Rand was almost pathetic, as he merely had one hand. In his exhibition with his father, all the blademasters watching, it was said that almost one of them could have taken him at that point, but still respected his determination and ability as a crippled swordsman.
My only evidence for Rand < Lan (in a purely swordsman fight) is that Rand fought Toram Riatin when he was very nearly in the full of his skill and lost. Lan then fought Toram and killed him without even breaking a sweat. Lews Therin said that Demandred was the only swordsman of the age that could best him, and Lan killed him, too. Lan trained Rand, and when Lan more or less stopped training him, he regarded him as competent, but not excellent. Rand improved much since then, but he was never a match for Lan without Saidin.
Another ten years of training rather than the three Rand had, and perhaps he might've been able to best Lan, but that was never the case, so... Al'Lan Mondragoran!
.jpg)
