We’ve all heard that expression size doesn’t matter; this may be true in some circumstances, but not when competing against one of the sporting legends on our list. There are superstar athletes out there who are bigger than the field, the court, and, in many cases, life itself. Here are the game’s largest athletes, people who understand how to capitalize on their height and weight advantage. They are impossible to miss while they are playing the game, and even if they don’t score, they leave an indelible impression.
The Largest Athletes In Sports History
Shaquille O’Neal – 7’1″
Shaquille O’Neal was one of the NBA’s greatest and most known stars, with a demeanor that matched his 7’1″ stature. The “Shaq” is regarded as one of the best players in the history of American basketball, having played professionally for an incredible 19 consecutive seasons. He now exploits his large personality as a sports analyst on television.
Shaquille O’Neal – 7’1″
Maria Sharapova – 6’2″
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova is one of the tallest women to have ever played professional tennis. She went to the United States from her native Russia in the early 1990s to pursue her dream of becoming a champion. She has worked hard over the last three decades to become a regular on the WTA, even reaching the top of the singles rankings five times. Sharapova is a prime example of determination, having recovered from several injuries throughout her career. She is still at the top of her game today and has published a book called “Unstoppable.”
Maria Sharapova – 6’2″
Andre The Giant – 6’9″, 520 lb
Andre the Giant was a wrestling legend who captivated legions of fans across the world. Many people thought he was 7ft 4in tall, although he was only 6’9. He exploited his strength and talents to battle three or four opponents at once, defeating WWE heavyweights like Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy. He was also well-known for his portrayal as Fezzik, the good-hearted giant, in the legendary film “The Princess Bride,” which helped him get a lot of new fans. Andre the Giant suffered from a disease in which his body produced an excess of human growth hormone, which accounts for his larger proportions and deep voice. Sadly, he died of heart failure in 1993, at the age of 46.
Andre The Giant – 6’9″, 520 Lb
Hafthor Julius “Thor” Bjornsson – 6’9″, 400 lb
You’re certainly familiar with Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, a larger-than-life athlete born in Reykjavik, Iceland. He has been busy starring in HBO’s hit drama “Game of Thrones” as Gregor Clegane, or “The Mountain” in recent years. Before becoming a well-known actor, Bjornsson was a top competitor in the World Strongest Man competition. With a height of 6 feet 9 inches and a weight of 400 pounds, it’s no surprise that he’s been in the top three for the past six years. He is also the first man in history to win the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe’s Strongest Man, and World’s Strongest Man in the same year.
Hafthor Julius “Thor” Bjornsson – 6’9″, 400 Lb
Peter Crouch – 6’7″
Soccer players are noted for their ability to run fast, react quickly, and maintain precise foot control rather than their height. It is practically unheard of for a professional soccer player to stand over 6 feet. This makes our future athlete even more amazing. With a five-year spell with the England national team, Peter Crouch has certainly put his leg spread to good use. He has also made two World Cup appearances and broken the Premier League record for most headed goals!
Peter Crouch – 6’7″
Konishiki Yasokichi – 633 lb
With 633 pounds to his credit, Konishiki Yasokichi is not someone you want to run into in a dark alley. But don’t be fooled by his bulk or sumo wrestling expertise; he appears to be a fairly mellow man. Yasokichi was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and became the first non-Japanese wrestler to win three division championships and achieve the second-highest rank in sumo, Ozeki. Sadly, Konishiki “Meat Bomb” Yasokichi came close but never achieved Sumo’s highest position, the Yokozuna, which means grand champion. He now works as a musician and raps in both English and Japanese.
Konishiki Yasokichi – 633 Lb
Chuck Nevitt – 7’5″
Chuck Nevitt, who is 7 feet 5 inches tall, remains one of the NBA’s tallest players in history. While he never achieved superstardom or became a household name, Nevitt had an exceptionally long and stable career, playing in the league for 12 seasons. During this period, he played for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Detroit Pistons.
Chuck Nevitt – 7’5″
Margo Dydek – 7’2″
Margo “Large Marge” Dydek, a Polish-born player, was the tallest woman in WNBA history. She began her career in Europe, playing for Polish, French, and Spanish clubs before being signed by the Utah Starzz. In the United States, she also played for the Connecticut Sun and the Los Angeles Sparks. Dydek was noted not only for her height, but also for her work ethic, as she spent many hours on the court perfecting her talents. After retiring, she relocated to Australia, where she coached the Northside Wizards of Queensland Basketball League. Sadly, she died in 2011 of complications from a heart attack. She died when pregnant with her third child.
Margo Dydek – 7’2″
Stefan Struve – 7ft
Stefan Struve, a UFC heavyweight, is nicknamed the “Skyscraper” because of his amazing 7-foot physique. Struve was born in the Netherlands and grew up playing soccer before falling in love with mixed martial arts after his brother took him to a nearby gym. He dedicated to serious training from that point forward, and after a few years, his efforts paid off, as he became the UFC’s tallest fighter. Struve’s debut fight in UFC 95 was a failure, as he lost to Junior de Santos in the first round, but he recovered and went on to win over 70% of his matches in the years since, many by KO. The “Skyscraper” recently lost a match to Polish wrestler Marcin Tybura, but he will return soon to dominate!
Stefan Struve – 7ft
Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7″
Romanian-born Gheorghe Muresan may not have been the best NBA player, but he was certainly one of the tallest. Muresan stands 7ft 7in tall, a quarter of an inch taller than Sudanese midfielder Manute Bol, making him the league’s tallest player. He was also the tallest individual in the whole European Union. But Muresan used his height for more than just basketball; he starred in the film “My Giant” with Billy Crystal, appeared in Eminem’s rap video for “My Name Is,” and co-authored the book “The Boy’s Fitness Guide.”
Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7″
Big Show – 7ft, 383 lb
Paul Donald Wight II, better known by his stage as Big Show, is a living wrestling icon reminiscent of Andre the Giant. This gigantic, larger-than-life figure used to weigh an unbelievable 500 pounds, but he has dropped down and is now in peak fighting form at 383 pounds. Big Show is a part of wrestling history, having faced some of the most renowned WWE superstars, including Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker, and is a seven-time World Champion. At almost 50 years old, he is still going strong in the ring.
Big Show – 7ft, 383 Lb
Sharran Alexander – 448 lb
Sharran Alexander, a late bloomer, developed her love for sumo wrestling at the age of 41. Alexander, who was born in London, worked as a typical English nanny before making a name for herself in the sumo world. She was declared the heaviest sportswoman in the 2013 Guinness World Records. Alexander is one of the only women recognized as a professional sumo wrestler by the British Sumo Federation, and she has had an incredible international career, winning four gold medals in competitions all over the world. She recently appeared on a British dating show looking for love and stated that some men were scared by her weight.
Sharran Alexander – 448 Lb
John Daly – 216 lb
Golfers are not typically thought of as the most physically fit athletes, and many people regard the “sport of gold” as a hobby or a chance to get out of the house on Sunday. This, however, is a misnomer, as most golfers are fairly fit. John Daly, weighing 216bs, is the exception to the norm. Daly is well-known in professional golf for his driving distance from the tee, earning the moniker “Long John” for his consistent 300-yard shots. He is also noted for his free-spirited personality, inability to fit in with the country club crowd, and charity efforts.
John Daly – 216 Lb
Andy Fordham – 6’2″, 445 lb
Darts is hardly the most physically demanding sport in the world. As a result, traditional professional darts players would typically spend more time at the bar drinking and practicing their throws than at the gym training. Andy Fordham, a world-class darts player, is one such example. He is noted for his speed and precision, although he does not resemble a traditional athlete. Fordham, nicknamed “The Viking” due to his stature and beard, used to weigh 445 pounds but decided to make a change and shed nearly 200 pounds. He says he wants to be around for a long time to enjoy his grandchildren.
Andy Fordham – 6’2″, 445 Lb
Eric “Butterbean” Esch – 425 lb
This superheavyweight fighter was a UFC star long before the organization became popular worldwide. Eric Esch, often known as “Butterbean,” was a well-known boxer, wrestler, and mixed martial artist. He had tremendous moves and a long reach, but his size often got in the way. His greatest talent was not just his ability to administer punishment (if he was quick enough), but also his ability to receive it. His larger-than-life demeanor enabled him to branch out from fighting and earn acting opportunities, including a role in “Jackass: The Movie” alongside Johnny Knoxville.
Eric “Butterbean” Esch – 425 Lb
The Tree Man – 6’7″
The next athlete on our list isn’t a well-known athlete by conventional criteria. Danny Jones, a personal trainer in Southern California, rose to prominence after a Twitter user spotted a photo of him and felt he looked more like a tree than a man. He stands 6 feet 7 inches tall. “This [is] not a man, this [is] a tree,” reads the now-infamous tweet from the man nicknamed Jones Tree Man. Jones, who awoke to thousands of new followers, didn’t immediately comprehend the tree metaphor, but he smiled and appeared pleased with his newfound social media stardom.
The Tree Man – 6’7″
Amazon Eve – 6’8″
Erika Ervin, nicknamed “Amazon Eve,” is the world’s tallest model, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. She is 6 feet 8 inches tall without heels and was spotted in Australia by Zoo Weekly’s editor, who placed her on the magazine’s cover. Her remarkable height and confidence have also helped her succeed as a personal trainer and actor. She just appeared on the acclaimed FX television series American Horror Story and has two new films coming out soon.
Amazon Eve – 6’8″
Holley Mangold – 415 lbs
I guess athleticism runs in the family; Holley Mangold, the sister of former Jets center Nick Mangold, is one of the world’s top female Olympic weightlifters. Mangold played football in high school and began weightlifting in 2008. Four years later, she qualified for the London Olympics but tore a wrist tendon before the competition, finishing tenth out of fourteen participants. She used to weigh 500 pounds but has dropped a lot of weight and even appeared on the reality weight reduction program “The Biggest Loser.” Mangold currently instructs the Dayton Barbell Club in Ohio.
Holley Mangold – 415 Lbs
Mamadou N’Diaye – 7’6″
Senegalese-born Mamadou N’Diaye attended UC Irvine at the age of 18, where he became the NCAA Division’s tallest basketball player. In 2016, he was drafted and spent time with the Golden State Warriors. He now plays for Fuerza Regia de Monterrey in the Mexican League. N’Diaye, who stands 7 feet 6 inches tall, is famed for his tremendous wingspan and has been compared to Yao Ming and Rudy Gobert. Instead of attempting to copy others, he seeks to establish his own personality and legacy as a player.
Mamadou N’Diaye – 7’6″
Randy Johnson – 6’8″
“The Big Unit” appears to be a difficult term to live up to, but Randy Johnson, at 6 feet 8 inches, is more than up to the task. Johnson spent 22 seasons in Major League Baseball with six different organizations, the most of which were with the Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is best known for being the sixth most successful left-handed baseball player of all time, as well as having the second-highest career strikeout total (4,875) in MLB history. “The Big Unit” had a significant impact on professional baseball.
Randy Johnson – 6’8″
Usain Bolt – 6’5″
Usain Bolt, recognized as the world’s fastest man, has dominated the running events in the last three Olympic Games. At 6 foot 5 inches, he towers over the opposition while outrunning them. Bolt used determination, good genes, and his trademark stride to smash every speed record known to man, winning the World Championship 11 times. His three consecutive Olympic victories in Beijing, London, and Rio have encouraged his native Jamaica and the rest of the world. Bolt is currently attempting to break into a new sport: soccer.
Usain Bolt – 6’5″
Lisa Leslie – 6’5″
Lisa Deshaun Leslie, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall, made history by becoming the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game. Though she is not the tallest woman in sports, there is no denying her abilities on the court. She competed in multiple World Championships and medal-winning Olympic teams, and she was named Sportswoman of the Year in 2001 when her team, the Los Angeles Sparks, won the WNBA championship. Leslie has spent the last few years focusing on modeling and acting.
Lisa Leslie – 6’5″
Yvetta Hlavacova – 6’4.5″
Yvetta Hlavacova, a long-distance Croatian swimmer, completed the English Channel swim in 7 hours and 25 minutes in 2006. This was a new world record and an astounding accomplishment for the gigantic 6 foot 4.5 inch athlete. Her lengthy legs and large hands contributed significantly to her ability to traverse the channel fast. It’s hard to believe, but before the record, Hlavacova was having difficulty finding a swim club that would accept her. She was immediately recognized as a budding talent.
Yvetta Hlavacova – 6’4.5″
Suleiman Ali Nashnush – 8ft
Suleiman Ali Nashnush stands out from the crowd as the tallest athlete to have ever competed in a sporting event. Although his height peaked at 8 feet, he was “only” 7 feet 10 inches during his basketball career. After retiring, he continued to grow, becoming one of just 17 people in history to exceed 8 feet. Nashnush was also an actress, playing a minor role in the Fellini film Satyricon. Nashnush’s enormous height was caused by an aberrant growth problem, which was successfully treated with surgery.
Suleiman Ali Nashnush – 8ft
Blanka Vlasic – 6’4″
Blanka Vlasic, 6ft 4in, has leveraged her height to become a highly successful high jump champion. But Vlasic is known not only for her lucky genes, but also for her determination, great work ethic, and excellent coach, who happens to be her father. Vlasic has won 16 valuable medals in her career, including 12 gold, three silver, and one bronze, representing her home country of Croatia. Vlasic suffered a career setback in 2005 when she was unable to compete in the Athens Olympics owing to a thyroid problem, but she recovered strongly and is now preparing for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Blanka Vlasic – 6’4″
Kerri Lee Walsh Jennings – 6’3″
Kerri Walsh Jennings and her longtime teammate Misty May Treanor were among the best beach volleyball teams in history. This powerful duo won gold in the Athens, Beijing, and London Summer Olympics. Standing at an astounding height of 6ft 3in, Jennings is not only one of the world’s tallest volleyball players, but also one of the best. She has worked really hard for decades, and her main goal is to increase recognition for beach volleyball. These days, Jennings is practicing for the 2020 Olympics, when she is confident she will win gold.
Kerri Lee Walsh Jennings – 6’3″
Richard Metcalfe – 7ft
Richard Metcalfe, a rugby player, stands an impressive 7 feet, six inches taller than his competitors and was the tallest player in international rugby. His towering stature and menacing style of play kept the other players on their toes. The Scottish native became a sensation, earning 13 Scotland appearances and playing for prominent clubs such as the Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints. Unfortunately, Metcalfe’s promising career was cut short due to a knee injury.
Richard Metcalfe – 7ft
Aaron Sandilands – 6’11”
Aaron Sandilands, an Australian football player, stands about 7 feet tall. He was formerly the tallest and heaviest player in the AFL (Australian Football League), and it’s easy to image how much damage a tackle from him could cause. Sandilands, however, has more than just his stature going for him, as he has an illustrious athletic career that includes over 250 games. He has received four All-Australian accolades, two finest Clubmen honors, and two Doig Medals as the Fremantle Football Club’s finest and fairest player. He is still going strong as the club’s first player over the age of 35.
Aaron Sandilands – 6’11”
Aleksey Kazakov – 7’2″
Being tall is beneficial in many sports, but in volleyball, it may be a game changer. Aleksey Kazakov, a Russian volleyball player who stands 7 feet 2 inches tall, rose to prominence thanks to his massive physique and innate talent. At the height of his professional career, Kazakov stood out from the crowd and made the Olympic team. He won the bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics before moving up to silver in 2004. He also performed admirably at the 2001 European Championships in Ostrava, when he won the bronze medal, making Russia proud.
Aleksey Kazakov – 7’2″
Mohammad Irfan – 7’1″
Our list features only one cricket player, Mohammad Irfan. At 7 feet 1 inch, he is the world’s tallest cricket player. He has been a standout on the Pakistani National Team since joining nearly a decade ago. Before becoming a cricket star, Irfan worked at a pipe industry for around $3 per week. After being identified, Irfan swiftly ascended through the ranks and became known as a speedy left-arm fast bowler, and in 2013, he helped Pakistan defeat South Africa. Irfan was suspended from cricket for six months in 2017 following a corruption incident, but his career is still on track. In 2018, he competed in both the Caribbean Premier League and the Bangladesh Premier League.
Mohammad Irfan – 7’1″
Nikolai Valuev – 7ft
Even by heavyweight boxing standards, Nikolai Valuev is a behemoth. During the peak of his career, the former professional boxer was nearly impossible to defeat. Valuev’s professional career from 1993 to 2009, during which time he won 50 of 53 matches and became the world’s biggest and heaviest boxer. He retained the championship title for four years before retiring due to medical reasons. But Valuev hasn’t rested on his laurels; he’s authored a book, acted in films, and has a second career as a politician. He also established the Valuev Boxing School.
Nikolai Valuev – 7ft
Brittney Griner – 6’9″
Brittney Griner, an American basketball superstar, is recognized for her amazing height and massive wingspan. Griner is the center for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and has some outstanding records. She is the first NCAA player to have made 2,000 shots and blocked over 500. She was named Best Female Athlete at the Espy Awards in 2012. With so much experience, it’s no surprise Griner was picked to lead the USA Olympic Women’s team to victory. Griner is an incredible athlete in the prime of her career, and she even signed an endorsement agreement with Nike in 2013.
Brittney Griner – 6’9″
Lacina Traore – 6’3″
Lacina Traore, an Ivorian soccer player, gained the moniker “The Big Tree” due to his towering height of 6 feet 3 inches. Traore, an Ivory Coast striker, is often compared to Didier Drogba, Wilfried Bony, and Salomon Kalou. Traore has formerly represented Monaco, Everton, and Anzhi Makhachkala. Even if the Ivory Coast did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Traore and his side will have many more opportunities to demonstrate their quality in the world of soccer.
Lacina Traore – 6’3″
Dane De La Rosa – 6’7″
Dana De La Rosa is among the tallest pitchers in the game. With a height of 6 feet 7 inches, De La Rosa can easily tower over the pitcher’s mound. De La Rosa, who was born in California, has played for various major league teams, including the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is now a free agent, not signed to a specific organization, and is looking for the proper fit to come back into the game.
Dane De La Rosa – 6’7″
Laura Dijkema – 6ft
Laura Dijkema, a Dutch volleyball player, is one of the world’s tallest female professional athletes, standing six feet. She has been playing volleyball since the age of seven and has spent the majority of her professional career with German club Dresdner SC. She has also competed for the Dutch national team, winning three medals in just two years: the 2015 Montreux Masters, the 2015 CEV European Championship, and the 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix. Dijkema also claimed the prestigious title of “Best Setter” in the 2017 European Championship. She has started playing for the Italian team Il Bisonte Firenze.
Laura Dijkema – 6ft
Zdeno Chara – 6’9″
Zdeno Chara is the tallest player in NHL history. With a height of 6 feet 9 inches, rival teams want to avoid this massive defensive defender. Chara was pushed to play basketball in Slovakia because of his height, but he was fortunate to be picked by the NHL. Chara is the Boston Bruins’ captain, and he leads his team with a combination of hard work, determination, and an aggressive approach on the rink. He competed in the Olympics and World Championships on numerous occasions, as well as on the NHL all-star team. Chara is only the second European-born team captain to win the Stanley Cup.
Zdeno Chara – 6’9″
Darya Klishina – 5’11”
Darya Igorevna Klishina is one of the best long jumpers in the world. She won an Olympic silver medal and held the world record for the second-longest jump in 2010. Klishina is well-known for her exceptional work ethic on the track and in the gym. Unfortunately, Kilshina suffered as a result of the Russian National Federation scandal. The Russian team was barred from competing, and twenty athletes, including Klishina, chose to compete as neutrals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. This was not well received by the Russian government or the general population, and many consider these athletes traitors.
Darya Klishina – 5’11”
Ivo Karlovic – 6’11”
Croatian tennis player Ivo Karlovic stands 6 feet 11 inches tall. He towers over his opponents and is by far the tallest professional tennis player around. Karlovic uses his extremely long arms and legs as leverage to deliver strong serves that overpower his opponents. With a record-breaking serve of 156 mph and the most career aces (12,255 as of 2017), he is more than simply a big guy. Karlovic also won eight ATP singles titles from 2007 to 2016.
Ivo Karlovic – 6’11”
Hong-Man Choi – 7’2″
Hong-Man Choi, a Korean kickboxer, wrestler, and mixed martial artist, is also known as “the Korean Colossus,” “Korean Monster,” and “Techno Goliath.” Choi, who is 7 feet 2 inches tall, understands how to exploit his physical advantage to dominate his opponents. Unfortunately, Choi is on his way to retirement owing to health issues, yet he remains a popular figure in South Korea. He is currently pursuing an acting career, having participated in Korean TV dramas such as “2 Days & 1 Night,” “Running Man,” and “Hey Ghost, Let’s Fight,” as well as working on his singing and rap skills.
Hong Man Choi – 7’2″