When we talk about sports, size normally matters. After all, some athletes win thanks to their sheer size! Let us take a look at the most massive athletes in history. Just how big are they really? Let us find out!
Konishiki Yasokichi – 633 lbs
Konishiki Yasokichi is the biggest rikishi to ever take part in sumo wrestling. He has been dubbed all sorts of monikers like “Meat Bomb” and “Dump Truck.” At his peak, he weighed an incredible 633 lbs. It was odd for fans to see people from outside Japan succeed in the sport. This wrestler came from Honolulu, Hawaii but did not need a professional trainer since he seemed to be a natural at the sport. He brought home the top division title thrice and became the first non-Japanese grand champion!
Konishiki Yasokichi – 633 lbs
Margo Dydek – 7’2″
We are sure that Margo Dydek had to put in a lot of effort to achieve what she did in the WNBA! Hailing from Warsaw, Poland, the basketball player became the tallest pro athlete on the court. She is best known for being the center for the Connecticut Sun. She eventually joined the Queensland Basketball League and coached the Northside Wizards. Sadly, she died early on May 27, 2011. She had just survived a heart attack the week before that. What makes it even more tragic was that she was pregnant with a third child at the time.
Margo Dydek – 7’2″
Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7″
Even though Gheorghe Muresan is not of the greatest basketball players out there, there is no denying that he put in a lot of effort. Standing at 7’7”, this Romanian basketball player shares the tallest NBA basketball player title with Manute Bol. However, this is not his only achievement! It turns out that he is also the tallest person in the entire European Union. This is quite a fascinating record to hold. You might have also seen him in the music video for “My Name Is” by Eminem.
Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7″
Maria Sharapova – 6’2″
For some reason, it seems that people forget just how tall Maria Yuryevna Sharapova really is. This incredible tennis player was born in Russia but moved to the United States during the ‘90s. She made a name for herself during the early 2000s. Not only did she hit the fitness center often, but she was also a staple at the WTA tour. You can say that her career has been a paradox. Even though she suffered many injuries on the court, she has also made incredible comebacks! Without a doubt, she is a legend.
Maria Sharapova – 6’2″
Peter Crouch – 6’7″
Peter Crouch played center forward in soccer and happens to be one of the tallest people in the sport. He had two decades in the field below his belt. Nicknamed “Crouchy” by his teammates, he has joined many clubs like Portsmouth, Liverpool, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur. He had been playing with Burnley until he resigned on July 12, 2019. He is very lean, which goes against the stereotype that athletes are all toned and bulky. We hope that he is living the life now that he is no longer on the green!
Peter Crouch – 6’7″
Hong-Man Choi – 7’2″
Hong-Man Choi has been called “Korean Monster,” “Techno Goliath,” and “Korean Colossus.” He has worked out a lot and mastered not only kickboxing but also MMA. Even though his record has been broken recently, he is still thought to be a national treasure and continues to appear in the ROAD Fighting Championship. He is no stranger to the world of Korean television either. Over the past couple of years, he has made guest appearances in Running Man, Hey Ghost, Let’s Fight, 2 Days & 1 Night, among others.
Hong-Man Choi – 7’2″
Stefan Struve – 7 feet
This UFC fighter has been given the moniker the Skyscraper, and we are sure that you can guess why. Stefan Struve is actually the tallest person on the entire roster of the company! He made his debut during UFC 95 but lost the match to Junior dos Santos. He has since won 28 matches out of 37, 8 of which were knockout victories. He recently lost a fight with Alexander Volkov. We are glad that he has not been disheartened by this loss. We are sure that he will be able to bounce back in no time at all.
Stefan Struve – 7 feet
The Tree Man – 6’7″
The Tree Man is one of the biggest people in this day and age. He has become famous through social media and has been called “The Fearsome Tree Man.” There is a pretty simple story behind his name. A Twitter user saw a photo of the tall man with his personal trainer certification and said that he looked like a huge tree: “This [is] not a man, this [is] a tree.” We are sure that Danny Jones, a Southern California local, is happy with all the publicity he has received!
The Tree Man – 6’7″
Amazon Eve – 6’8″
Erika Ervin is an American model better known by Amazon Eve, her stage name. This pro fitness trainer has a height of 6 foot 8 inches, which is the reason news outlets said that she is the tallest model out there. She has graced the cover of an Australian magazine called Zoo Weekly. Thanks to all the publicity, she has gotten a lot of TV opportunities. Her most notable one has to be the time she appeared in American Horror Story: Freak Show in 2014.
Amazon Eve – 6’8″
Andre The Giant – 7’4″, 520 lbs
It is hard to think of a more iconic wrestler than Andre the Giant. This man must be the greatest athlete to ever appear in the ring! During his peak, the man from “Grenoble in the French” weighed 520 pounds and stood at 7 feet and 4 inches tall. Heavyweights like King Kong Bundy and Hulk Hogan hardly stood a chance against this wrestler. For this athlete, it was a matter of genes. He grew this tall thanks to an excess in growth hormones. In 1993, he died a tragic death after suffering from congestive heart failure.
Andre The Giant – 7’4″, 520 lbs
Jorge Gonzalez – 8 feet
Not a lot of people grow to reach a height of 8 feet. However, this was the reality for Argentinian-born wrestler Jorge Gonzalez. Better known as El Gigante, he worked out a lot to reach a physique like this one. He pretty much dominated WWE as well. He made his debut under the ring name Giant Gonzales during the Royal Rumble in 1993, impressing everyone when he eliminated the Undertaker. However, his opponent was able to exact vengeance on him at WrestleMania IX.
Jorge Gonzalez – 8 feet
Holley Mangold – 415 lbs
Holley Mangold weighs 415 pounds, which makes her one of the most massive female weightlifters in history. She has spent a lot of time at the gym. She launched her career in 2008. She later represented the United States during the London Olympics in 2012. She has a personal weightlifting record of an incredible 562.2 pounds. It is interesting to hear that she is not the only Mangold to play at the pro level. You see, her brother Nick was a football center for the New York Jets. Right now, Holley is a coach for the Dayton Barbell Club in Ohio.
Holley Mangold – 415 lbs
Mamadou N’Diaye – 7’6″
Baller Mamadou N’Diaye was already 7 feet and 6 inches tall when he debuted at the age of 18. This meant that he was the tallest guy in the NCAA Division! Before the 2016 NBA draft, he had been playing basketball for UC Irvine. He has since played for the following teams: Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and the Grand Rapids Drive. With his height, we are sure that he is already used to comparisons to other towering players like Rudy Gobert and Yao Ming!
Mamadou N’Diaye – 7’6″
Randy Johnson – 6’8″
This guy was not called “The Big Unit” for no reason. It is clear that he has done plenty of weightlifting to perfect his throw. This former pitcher had been active for 22 seasons and spent most of his time in the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners. He is now the fifth most successful leftie to ever play in the big leagues. This is not all, however. He has also accomplished 4,875 strikeouts, which is the highest produced by a left-hander. This also makes him second to only Nolan Ryan in the all-time rankings.
Randy Johnson – 6’8″
Usain Bolt – 6’5″
It does not make sense that Usain Bolt could dominate the sprinting scene at his height of 6 feet and 5 inches. He is around an entire foot taller than other runners. Despite this, he has hit an incredible stride thanks to those long legs of his. He has put in the work at the gym and led the Jamaican team to new Olympic heights at the London Games in 2012 and then the Brazil ones in 2016. Did you know that he is the first man to bring home the gold in the 100m and 200m sprints in three consecutive competitions?
Usain Bolt – 6’5″
Michael Phelps – 6’4″
When it comes to swimmers, good luck finding someone more accomplished and talented than Michael Phelps. He is clearly one of the biggest stars the sport has ever seen. He might not be the tallest guy on the list, but his stature set him apart from his rivals. He was able to dominate the sport on a global stage since the turn of the millennium. He has also led to U.S. team to victory in four of the five competitions he participated in during the Olympic games. It is incredible to hear that he has 28 Olympic medals!
Michael Phelps – 6’4″
Yao Ming – 7’6″
Yao Ming ended his NBA career as the tallest person in the division with his stature of 7 feet and 6 inches. The Chinese athlete did not only make it to the NBA playoffs four times, but he also led the Houston Rockets to victory during the first round series of 2009. After two years, he chose to retire because of a persistent foot injury. Even though he tried to make a comeback, he got sidelined for more than 250 games during his last six seasons.
Yao Ming – 7’6″
Jan Koller – 6’7.5″
Jan Koller is not only one of the tallest soccer players out there, but he weighs quite a lot as well. Yes, this is a man who does not need protein shakes! During his heyday, this Czech athlete had been a great goalie. He played for teams such as Monaco, Anderlecht, and Borussia Dortmund. He was also part of the Czech Republic team that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2004. He was accompanied by teammates like Tomas Rosicky, Pavel Nedved, and Milan Baros.
Jan Koller – 6’7.5″
Darya Klishina – 5’11”
There is no doubt that Darya Igorevna Klishina is one of the most disciplined female long jumpers out there. You only need to look at this photo to see that we are telling the truth! Unfortunately, she has been dubbed a traitor by Russia, her home nation. During the scandal that surrounded her home country, she decided to compete in the 2016 Brazil Olympics as a neutral. However, she was not the only Russian athlete to do so. As a matter of fact, she was only one of 19 sportspeople who did so!
Darya Klishina – 5’11”
Blanka Vlasic – 6’4″
Blanka Vlasic must be one of the greatest high jumpers of our generation. This indoor world champ has done wonders for Croatia, her home country. Even though she suffers from a hyperthyroid condition, she has made waves in the sport. As a matter of fact, she now has 16 international medals that you can break down into twelve golds, three silvers, and one bronze. This athlete brought home silver and bronze medals during the 2007 and 2010 Olympics. She owes much of her success to her dad, who served as her coach through some very tough times.
Blanka Vlasic – 6’4″
Suleiman Ali Nashnush – 8 feet
Libyan Suleiman Ali Nashnush towers over just about everyone at his height of 8 feet. He is officially the tallest sportsperson out there! Fun fact: there are only 17 individuals to ever reach the eight-feet mark. Even though he has an abnormal height, this was not caused by professional training. You see, he actually had surgery for this. Aside from his sports career, he also tried his luck as an actor. He appeared in Fellini Satyricon. However, he was just 7 feet and 10 inches when he was a pro baller.
Suleiman Ali Nashnush – 8 feet
Kerri Walsh Jennings – 6’3″
Kerri Lee Walsh Jennings might be one of the tallest volleyball players right now, but she is also among the most successful! She trained hard for many years and has broken many records. She has also won more Olympic medals than anyone else in the sport. She has three gold medals and a bronze to her name, so you can bet that she is nothing short of exceptional. She and Misty May Treanor made up one of the best beach volleyball teams that the world has ever seen!
Kerri Walsh Jennings – 6’3″
Richard Metcalfe – 7 feet
Richard Metcalfe is one of the tallest rugby players ever. At his stature of 7 feet, the average second row forward was six inches shorter than him. We are sure that the other players in the sport found it intimidating to go up against this giant. The athlete brought home 13 caps for Scotland. On top of that, he spent the majority of his career at the Newcastle Falcons and the Northampton Saints. Sadly, he had to retire thanks to a nagging knee injury.
Richard Metcalfe – 7 feet
Aaron Sandilands – 6’11”
Up to this day, Aaron Sandilands is one of the tallest men in the world of Australian rules football. There was a time when he was not just the tallest but also the heaviest Australian Football League player. However, do not be fooled! His height aside, he was also a very talented player. If you are not convinced, we will have you know that he was on the All-Australian team from 2008 to 2010. On top of that, he was also honored as the best and fairest Fremantle Football Club on two different occasions.
Aaron Sandilands – 6’11”
Aleksey Kazakov – 7’2″
There are several sports where height is a clear advantage. There is no doubt that volleyball is one of them. We are sure that Aleksey Kazakov benefitted from his domineering stature. The Russian athlete has brought home medal after medal when he competed in the 2000 Sydney Games and the 2004 Athens Games. He bagged a silver and a bronze, respectively. Back in those days, he also helped Russia bag the bronze model at the European Championships. The competition was held in Ostrava in 2001.
Aleksey Kazakov – 7’2″
Mohammad Irfan – 7’1″
Mohammad Irfan is the only cricket player on our list. In the past couple of years, he has been a big part of the Pakistani national team. He is not only one of the tallest people in the sport, but he also worked hard to achieve his current physique. However, he has recently been in hot water. In 2017, he was suspended after he was accused of corruption. At any rate, he received a lot of praise in 2013. That was the time that he showed off his fast bowling skills in South Africa.
Mohammad Irfan – 7’1″
Nikolai Valuev – 7 feet
It is pretty hard to make a name for yourself in a field so dominated by heavy and tall individuals. However, boxer Nikolai Valuev caught our attention when he entered the scene. He eventually became the heaviest and tallest world champion that boxing has ever seen. The Russian athlete has 50 wins out of 53 fights, which is incredible in and of itself. Now retired from the sport, he has decided to give politics a shot. Aside from this, he also started a boxing school: the Nikolai Valuev Boxing School.
Nikolai Valuev – 7 feet
Brittney Griner – 6’9″
Before we go on any further, we want you to look at those amazing arms. All right, back to the topic. Brittney Griner has put in a lot of effort to be one of the greatest basketball players out there. She is the only player in the NCAA to reach a score of more than 2,000 points and block 500 shots. More recently, she had a huge role in the victory of the US basketball team during the Olympic Games. She has a deal with Nike ever since 2013.
Brittney Griner – 6’9″
Lacina Traore – 6’3″
Lacina “The Big tree” Traore has been overshadowed by other Ivorian strikers like Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba, and Wilfried Bony. These other athletes had played on an international level more frequently than she has. Even though she did not qualify for the Russia World Cup in 2018, we are still holding on to the hope that he can achieve all of his dreams soon. This tall and gangly striker has played for various clubs like Everton, Monaco, and Anzhi Makhachkala in the past.
Lacina Traore – 6’3″
Dane De La Rosa – 6’7″
We are sure that Dane De La Rosa had to work hard at the gym to be one of the biggest pro basketball players in the world. Hailing from Torrance, California, he has joined MLB teams like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Tampa Bay Rays. Now retired, he has previously made successful comebacks. Let us remind you of the time that he returned from his temporary retirement to play for the Sugar Land Skeeters! This pitcher has an earned run average of 4.24.
Dane De La Rosa – 6’7″
Rik Smits – 7’4″
While there have been taller players since his time, we can’t deny that Rik “The Dunking Dutchman” Smits used to be an intimidating figure in the sport. At a height of 7 foot and 4 inches, he went on to be loved by millions of fans. Aside from his height, he was also blessed with various skills. He has spent his entire career in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers. In 1998, he became an NBA All-Star. Two years after that, he took his team to the finals! What a legend.
Rik Smits – 7’4″
Chuck Nevitt – 7’5″
Chuck Nevitt played in the NBA for 12 seasons. He has been a part of various teams such as the Detroit Pistons, the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Houston Rockets. Even though he was not exactly a household name, his career did last more than a decade. This is not something that most people can say they have done! He remains one of the tallest people who ever graced the NBA courts. As a matter of fact, this is also true for any sport out there.
Chuck Nevitt – 7’5″
Zdeno Chara – 6’9″
Are you aware of just how violent a sport ice hockey can be? We are sure that Zdeno Chara can tell us all about it. This Slovakian defenseman has a height of 6 feet and 9 inches, which means that he is the tallest player who has ever graced the NHL rinks. At the moment, he is serving as the captain for the Boston Bruins. It is also cool to find out that he is the second European player who has ever won the Stanley Cup.
Zdeno Chara – 6’9″
Andy Fordham – 6’2″, 445 lbs
When it comes to professional darts, you probably do not expect the players to be in tip-top shape. Indeed, physical well-being is not exactly the focus of their training. Normally, all it would take is to have accuracy and skills. You only need to take a look at Andy Fordham to know that this is the case. There was a time when he weighed an incredible 445 pounds! However, he has since dropped half of it.
Andy Fordham – 6’2″, 445 lbs
Jon Rauch – 6’11”
As the tallest player who ever graced the MLB, Jon Rauch did an amazing job. This right-handed man held the pitcher position during the time that he was active in the sport. He joined a number of MLB teams such as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox. Not only that, but he also won an Olympic Gold Medal!
Jon Rauch – 6’11”
Eddy Curry – 7 feet
Eddy Curry is one of the greatest basketball players to be drafted as a high school student. He did not plan to play the sport at first. His dream had been to be a gymnast until he went on to play on the basketball team of his high school. He grew to reach seven feet and weighs 295 lbs. Trust us, he is not a regular athlete in any way. His stature has helped him reach a successful sports career. He also got to play for many NBA teams such as the Miami Heat, the Dallas Mavericks, the New York Knicks, and the Chicago Bulls.
Eddy Curry – 7 feet
Dondre Harris – 7 feet
Dondre Harris once had a coach who said that the football player had to be one of the biggest people he has ever seen. There was a lot of acclaim surrounding him, but we are glad to say that Dondre did not fail these expectations. In high school, he was 450 lbs at stood at 6 feet and 10 inches. With a physique like this, he was a force to be reckoned. He held the defense position and towered over his opponents.
Dondre Harris – 7 feet
Hasheem Thabeet – 7’3″
As you might have noticed by now, there have been lots of tall athletes in the NBA. Hasheem Thabeet is no exception to the rule! Weighing 263 lbs and standing at an impressive 7 feet and 3 inches, he is bigger than everyone on the court. In 2009, he got to play for the Memphis Grizzlies. He made history as the first man of Tanzanian descent to play in the league! Thanks to his size, he is enjoying a great career.
Hasheem Thabeet – 7’3″
Gogea Mitu “Giant of Romania” – 7’9″
Gogea Mitu was born in Romania and has been called the tallest Romanian person ever! This makes sense when you find out that he stood at 7 feet and 9 inches tall. He was a boxer and did not lose a single fight. He won many fights by technical knockout as well, so you can just imagine how hard his blows must have been. No one could beat him! Sadly, he was poisoned at the age of 26.
Gogea Mitu “Giant of Romania” – 7’9″
Gursimran “Sim” Bhullar – 7’5″
Gursimran “Sim” Bhullar is the first person from India to ever play in the NBA. He towers over just about everyone at a height of 7 feet and 5 inches. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings for the 2014 season. He was able to show off his basketball skills in no time. However, he decided to play for the Reno Bighorns later that year. His parents were tall, with his mother standing at 5 feet and 8 inches and his dad at 6 feet and 3 inches. With genes like that, it was like he was born to be a basketball player!
Gursimran “Sim” Bhullar – 7’5″
Richie Gray – 6’9″
At 6 feet and 9 inches, Richie Gray is a giant of a rugby player. He also happens to weigh 278 lbs. We are sure that his opponents are scared of him thanks to his size. On top of this, he is also very good at the sport. He has guided the British Lions to victory against Australia! With his physique, he is easy to recognize on the pitch. Not only that, but his blonde hair also makes him stand out from the crowd.
Richie Gray – 6’9″
Sun Mingming – 7’9″
Sun Mingming is the tallest pro basketball player on the planet. Standing at 7 feet and 9 inches, he is considerably taller than his colleagues! On top of that, he is also one heavy point-guard with his weight of 370 lbs. When it comes to his personal life, he is married to Xu Yan. The couple holds the world record for the tallest living couple because they have a combined height of 13 feet and 9 inches. Whoa.
Sun Mingming – 7’9″
Emmanuel “Tiny” Yarbrough – 6’7″
If you thought that Emmanuel Yarbrough would be small thanks to his nickname, you were clearly wrong. After all, the sumo wrestler stands at 6 feet and 7 inches tall! At his peak, he weighed 828 pounds. This was how he broke the Guinness World Record as the heaviest living athlete. He did not limit himself to sumo wrestling either. He has dipped his toes into judo and mixed martial arts in the past. As a judoka, he reached brown belt status and bagged a silver at the US Nationals.
Emmanuel “Tiny” Yarbrough – 6’7″
Shaun Rogers “Chunks” – 6’4″
With a nickname like “Chunks,” you can probably assume what his physical appearance looks like. Shaun Rogers is as huge as most NFL players, although he is definitely on the heavier end of the spectrum. During his prime, he weighed 350 lbs. and stood at 6 feet and 4 inches. His size aside, his athletic prowess deserves more attention. When he was drafted, he sprinted 40 yards in only 5.3 seconds at a weight of 320 lbs! During his rookie year, the athlete was able to perform 90 tackles!
Shaun “Chunks” Rogers – 6’4″
Paul Soliai – 6’4″
We all know that American football has many big guys, but few players are taller than Paul Soliaj. With a weight of 345 lbs. and a height of 6 feet and 4 inches, the Samoan giant boasted plenty of athletic prowess. He might be big, but he was also a quick player. During his heyday, it was considered a feat if you can get past him. We are not surprised that the Miami Dolphins kept him on the team for six years!
Paul Soliai – 6’4″
Primo Carnera – 6’6″
If you ever get into a fight, you should know that size is a big part of it. This is most evident in the boxing ring, of course. Primo Carnera was an Italian boxer and wrestler who was able to make a name for himself with his size. He had a height of 6 foot and 6 inches, as well as a weight of 275 lbs. He had a reach of seven feet, so he was a lethal opponent. He had 100 matches to his name and won 89 of them. Not only that, but 72 wins were by technical knockout. We can’t imagine how devasting his blows were.
Primo Carnera – 6’6″
Lennox Lewis – 6’5″
Power is yet another important thing when you are a boxer. It was a good thing that Lennox Lewis had a lot of it! The English boxer was active from 1989 to 2003. He bagged three world heavyweight champion belts over the years. Let us not forget to credit his size either! Weighing 245 lbs. and standing at 6 feet and 5 inches tall, he was a scary opponent. His last fights were in 2003 and 2004. They were against other boxing legends such as Vitaly Klitschko and Mike Tyson. Impressively, he won both of them!
Lennox Lewis – 6’5″
Rory Arnold – 6’10”
If you want to play rugby, you better have a lot of strength and a great physique. Rory Arnold is a pro rugby player who was on the Canberra Vikings. This is a man who has both of these things. He towered over everyone at 6 feet and 10 inches, making him one of the tallest players in the sport. With such a physique, it makes sense that he is in the lock position! The Australian athlete has long legs and arms, so we are sure that his team benefits from his unbelievable reach.
Rory Arnold – 6’10”
Ivo Karlovic – 6’11”
Basketball has a lot of tall players, but this cannot be said of tennis. Ivo Karlovic is a Croatian athlete who strikes a dominating figure in the sport. After all, he stands at 6 feet and 11 inches. This is far taller than the average tennis player! Aside from this, he also broke the record for the fastest serve at a speed of 156 miles per hour. His incredible height has lent him an advantage over his competitors. It is also neat to hear that he has the most career aces as well. As of 2017, it was at 12,255.
Ivo Karlovic – 6’11”
Lisa Leslie – 6’5″
Even though Lisa Deshaun Leslie is not the tallest sportswoman in the world, she did make history as the first female basketball dunker in the WNBA. She clearly took after her mom, who spent plenty of time working out at the gym. This basketball player has regularly played for the country at the Olympic Games and the World Championships. Right now, she works as a model. Her goal is to be a big star. You might be interested to check out her acting skills in The Game and Sister, Sister.
Lisa Leslie – 6’5″
Sharran Alexander – 448 lbs
Sharran Alexander hails from London. In 2013, she was proclaimed the heaviest female athlete by the Guinness World of Records. After all, the 2nd Kyu-grade sumo wrestler did weigh 448 lbs. Apart from this incredible achievement, she is also one of the few women to be recognized as pros by the British Sumo Federation. She has raked in four golds in various international tournaments. Fun fact: she used to be a nanny! She underwent a lot of training before she started her pro sumo wrestling at the age of 41.
Sharran Alexander – 448 lbs
Shaquille O’Neal – 7’1″
Shaquille O’Neal is easily one of the most iconic NBA players in history. The Shaq Attack is also one of the tallest men to grace the basketball courts at 7 feet and an inch. There are not many people who reached the same heights that he did.
Shaquille O’Neal – 7’1″
John Daly – 216 lbs
Golf is another sport that does not really have physical wellbeing as a requirement. If you expected to see heavy golfers, you might be disappointed. The truth is that many people on the PGA tour are very fit! John Daly is a bit of an exception with a weight of 216 lbs. His physique has not prevented him from enjoying a great career in golf. Often called “Long John” thanks to this long drive, he was said to have a 300 yard plus drive average during the 1997 season!
John Daly – 216 lbs
Eric “Butterbean” Esch – 425 lbs
When the UFC was just starting out, Eric Esch was one of the biggest and most famous athletes in the ring. He was not only a mixed martial artist but also a kickboxer and boxer. Often called “Butterbean,” he became a TV personality after starring in a show called Big Law: Deputy Butterbean. He starred in Jackass: The Movie with Johnny Knoxville as well! When it comes to his boxing career, he was able to win 77 matches out of 91. On top of that, 58 of those were by a knockout!
Eric “Butterbean” Esch – 425 lbs
Big Show – 7 feet, 383 lbs
Big Show, born Paul Donald Wight II, must be the spiritual successor of Andre the Giant. There was a time when he weighed an incredible 500 pounds. Just so you know, he has since lost a lot of weight and now lives in Tampa, Florida. At the moment, he has a respectable weight of 383 lbs. This wrestler has gone down in history for entering the wrestling scene during the late ‘90s. He also became a part of the Attitude era of WWE alongside men like The Undertaker and Kane.
Big Show – 7 feet, 383 lbs
Yvetta Hlavacova – 6’5″
Croatian athlete Yvetta Hlavacova is one of the greatest long-distance swimmers we have ever seen. She made history by swimming the English Channel and doing it within 7 hours and 25 minutes. On top of that, she is the tallest female swimmer on the planet! She had a hard time looking for a club and lived on endorsement deals for a decade. It was a good thing that she finally received all the attention that she deserved after her daring stunt across the English Channel. Good for you, Yvetta!
Yvetta Hlavacova – 6’5″
Laura Dijkema – 6 feet
At a height of 6 feet, Laura Dijkema looks like a giant when you compare her to everyone else. She has worked hard to get to where she is now. These days, she plays for Dresdner SC. On the international stage, she has played for the Netherlands and brought home three medals in the span of two years. This happened during the Montreux Volley Masters in 2015, the CEV European Championship in 2015, and the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2016. In 2017, she bagged the greatest honor – she was the “Best Setter” during the European Championship!
Laura Dijkema – 6 feet
Hafthor Julius “Thor” Bjornsson – 6’9″, 400 lbs
If Hafthor Julius Bjornsson looks familiar to you, it must have to do with the fact that he played Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in Game of Thrones. His character enacted many horrific acts of violence on the show. Aside from this, he was also in World’s Strongest Man. Hailing from Reykjavik, the huge man made it to the top three. With his weight of 400 lbs. and height of 6 feet and 9 inches, there was no one more fitting to play the iconic role in the HBO show.
Hafthor Julius “Thor” Bjornsson – 6’9″, 400 lbs
Nataliya Kuznetsova – 5’7″, 225 lbs
The photo below shows Nataliya Kuznetsova, a Russian pro female bodybuilder. At only 28 years old, she holds world titles for bench press, arm lifting, and deadlifts. She also has the European bench press and deadlift titles to his name. At the tender age of 14, she started to power lift in the hopes of gaining muscle mass. She earned a degree from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture as well. These days, she lives in Moscow with Vladislav Kuznetsov, her husband.
Nataliya Kuznetsova – 5’7″, 225 lbs