When it comes to sports, size matters… usually. And these athletes win based on their height alone. We’re going to find out who the tallest athlete of all time is, and how tall they really are.
Konishiki Yasokichi – 287kg
Officially the greatest rikishi to ever grace the sumo world, Konishiki Yasokichi earned nicknames such as “Dump Truck” and “Meat Bomb” due to his incredible peak weight of 633 pounds. Fans weren’t used to seeing foreigners (non-Japanese athletes) succeed in the sport. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native didn’t need a professional fitness trainer to become so successful. He won the top division three times and nearly became the first foreign yokozuna, or grand champion.
Gheorghe Muresan – 2.31m
Although he wasn’t one of the best players in basketball history, it’s safe to say he’s put in plenty of gym workouts. At 1.7 meters tall, Romanian Gheorghe Muresan is officially tied with Manute Bol as the tallest basketball player in NBA history. But the feat doesn’t end there. Muresan is officially the tallest human being in the entire European Union. Did you know he made a cameo appearance in the music video for Eminem’s hit “My Name Is”?
Hafthor Julius “Thor” Bjornsson – 2.05m, 181kg
These days, Hafthor Julius Bjornsson is probably best known for his role as Ser Gregor Glegane, aka The Mountain, on HBO’s Game of Thrones. However, before his character experienced many moments of horror and pure violence on the show, Bjornsson starred in World’s Strongest Man. For six consecutive years, this man from Reykjavik, Iceland, placed in the top three. At six feet two and six feet three inches tall, he’s not called “The Mountain” for nothing. Bjornsson has clearly put a lot of use to his home gym equipment!
Maria Sharapova – 1.87m
People often forget that Maria Yuryevna Sharapova is one of the greatest tennis players in the world. Born in Russia, she moved to the United States in the early 1990s and, since 2001, has worked hard in her gym and fitness center, which has allowed her to establish herself on the WTA Tour. Her career can be summed up as something of a paradox. Although her time on the court has been marred by numerous injuries, she has made multiple comebacks and still plays professionally to this day.
Peter Crouch – 2m
Center forward Peter Crouch is one of the tallest players in world football. Over a career spanning nearly twenty years, “Crouchy,” as he is known to his teammates, has played for numerous clubs, including Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth, and Tottenham Hotspur, to name a few. He has been with his current club, Stoke City, since 2011 and, at the age of 36, remains a vital player for the club. His skeletal, six-foot-one frame defies the notion that all athletes must be toned and muscular. Crouchy doesn’t need a personal trainer.
Hong-Man Choi – 2.13m
Nicknamed the “Korean Colossus,” the “Korean Monster,” and the “Technological Goliath,” Hong-Man Choi has worked hard to become a master of kickboxing and MMA. Although his track record has faltered recently, Choi remains a national treasure in South Korea and continues to compete in the ROAD Fighting Championship. He has made numerous appearances on Korean television in recent years, guest-starring on shows such as 2 Days & 1 Night, Running Man, and Hey Ghost, Let’s Fight.
Margo Dydek – 2.13m
There’s no doubt that former basketball player Margo Dydek trained extensively to reach such a high level in the WNBA. The Warsaw, Poland native was officially the tallest professional player to grace the court. She is best remembered as a center for the Connecticut Sun. Later in her career, she worked in the Queensland Basketball League, coaching the Northside Wizards. Tragically, Dydek passed away on May 27, 2011. She had suffered a heart attack a week earlier and was in the early stages of pregnancy with her third child.
Stefan Struve – 2.13m
UFC fighter Stefan Struve has been nicknamed the Skyscraper, and for good reason. After a serious gym workout, the Dutchman is officially the tallest fighter on the entire UFC roster. Despite losing his debut fight to Junior dos Santos at UFC 95, Struve has won 28 of his 37 fights, including eight by knockout. The MMA athlete lost his last fight to Alexander Volkov. However, Struve isn’t letting the loss discourage him and plans to bounce back quickly.
