50+ Massive Athletes, Including the Largest in the World

Size is a relative factor, and in most competitions, it can make a huge difference. In boxing, fighters are classified and compete according to their weight division, while in basketball, being impressively tall can be a huge advantage. Take a look at the world’s largest athletes to feature in sporting history.

Many would remember the talented, former tennis player Maria Sharapova, but some don't know that the Russian born tennis player is among the tallest women to play the game. She hit her first-ever tennis ball at the young age of four and has since shown her remarkable talent on the tennis court. In 2005, the 6 foot 2-inch right-hander achieved the no.1 rank, but she retired in February of 2020. To date, she is the third-highest earner in the sport.

Holley Mangold is an American weightlifter who weighs 415 lbs, and has a record of lifting 562 lbs. She stands at a height of 5 feet and 8 inches. Holley started competing in weightlifting in 2008 and has since represented America when she competed at the Olympics. She ranked ninth in a total of fourteen competitors in her division. To prove just how strong she is, Holley survived a head-on collision with only minor injuries by simply pushing the steering wheel away.

Peter Crouch is a former English football player who had appeared in two world cups for his country. He was a striker and is one of the tallest players ever on a football field. Crouch is one of the twenty-eight players to have scored more than 100 goals in the Premier League and holds the record for most headed goals. At an impressive height of 6 foot 7 inches, his success does not come as much of a surprise.

Hong-Man Choi is a mixed martial arts fighter and kick-boxer. He is a giant of a man and is one of the biggest fighters in MMA today. The South-Korean born fighter stands a whopping 7 foot and 2 inches tall and competes in the super heavyweight division. He was nicknamed the 'Korean Monster'. Hong-Man has celebrated fame mostly because of his size. He has a kickboxing record of 12 wins and 8 losses in a total of 20 fights.