Whoever believes that size doesn't matter is dead wrong! Just take a look at the athletes on our list and see for yourself. They have been dominating in various sports for years, for not only are they of large size, and we mean huge, but they are also very aggressive fighters, dedicated to their sport. They follow a good workout schedule, take their supplements, and prime themselves to perform at high levels whenever they go out and compete. As such, they have been world-class top achievers, racking up historical titles and achievements, and the honor of being called The Greatest in their game. Let's meet some of them, shall we?

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Serena Williams - Tennis

Called the most spectacular tennis champ of her time, Serena Williams, at eight different times between 2002 and 2017, has held the No. 1 rank for singles games. Likewise, she's won two gold medals at the Olympics, twelve doubles matches, and thirteen singles major games. Some might want to say that she's an underachiever, but with a record like that plus Hollywood being interested in her, the evidence says she's more than making her mark. On top of this, she's married to Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. The couple had their baby daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. in 2017.

Yao Ming – Basketball

Former professional basketballer, Yao Ming, started his basketball career in his native China where he played with the Shanghai Sharks and the Chinese Basketball Association. The Houston Rockets got the 7'6" basketballer in the team in 2002, after he became CBA's MVP in 2001 and champion in 2002. Amazingly, he was All-Star for eight of the nine seasons he played in the NBA. But he had to go into early retirement early due to his foot and ankle problems caused by injuries. The 'kind giant' demonstrated a style so delicate that he was elegance in motion. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in September 2016.

William “The Refrigerator” Perry – American Football

If you don't know who NFL legend William Perry, aka “The Refrigerator” is, he's among the largest athletes to play American football. Weighing 335 pounds, when he was at the line in his role of defensive tackle, Refrigerator proved to be a big reason why the Bears in 1985 were a horrible dream come to life for the opposing team's offense side. The Refrigerator stopped quarterbacks and running backs like a test car that was stopped by a solid concrete wall! The typical size of a man's ring is 9/10, and Perry's is 25! By 2016, his health has started to decline, and since 2015, he's been staying in a retirement home.

John Scott – Hockey

Hockey players are frequently thought to be the most rugged sportspeople on earth. They’re muscular, statuesque, display fitness, and are known to keep playing amidst pain classified as insane. Therefore, included in the NHL are many of the most merciless sportspeople, but they nevertheless appeared like kids when on the ice with John Scott who played journeyman. It must have been pretty intimidating for his opponents when John, at 6'8", got particularly aggressive on the rink, especially with his enormous size. John revealed his plan to retire from the sport in December 2016.

Troy “Escalade” Jackson – Basketball

Lovers of basketball can also appreciate the skill and feel 0f streetball. And a talented star in both the NCAA and NBA was Troy Jackson, aka “Escalade." He was physically the most massive player that the AND1 Mixtape Tour saw. Though Jackson had the physique of a mini truck, he had some spectacularly smooth and agile moves on the court. Prior to being a student at the University of Louisville, at  6'10", it was said that Troy weighed some 500 lbs. when he was in secondary school and even at the collegiate level. Sadly, heart disease claimed his life in 2011. He was 38. 

Jon Rauch – Baseball

When it comes to baseball playing positions, pitchers just seem more prominent than the others. Now, there had been some tall players in the sport, but among them, Jon Rauch with a height of 6’11”, stood much taller than the others. When the former player was out on the mound at night, it seemed like he should have had a red light atop his head - just like those flashing lights placed on very tall buildings to be seen by airplane pilots! Jon is still the tallest person to ever play pro baseball in history! His range of ball throwing styles was also lethal to his opponents. Jon's 2018 net worth was estimated at $20 million.

Andre The Giant – Wrestling

Standing out among the world's tallest athletes was André the Giant. He was a pro wrestler from France, and a big star of the WWF, which became the WWE. Now deceased, he was called a giant because he was a mind-blowing 7-feet and 4-inches tall, and weighed a massive 520 lbs! André's unforgettable size was due to a condition called acromegaly. It caused the athlete's demise at only 46 years of age. Among the great memories that we have of him was his role on the big screen in the iconic Princess Bride playing Fezzik, the mild-mannered giant. HBO remembered him with a documentary film in the spring of 2018 called André the Giant.

Nikolai Valuev – Boxing

Nikolai Valuev has long been known as Russia's giant. Within the boxing mecca, in the ring, he was a serious opponent. Having your body pummeled over the years - like what happens in boxing - causes a negative cumulative effect on the body. So imagine if it comes from a 7-foot mammoth of a man packing 328 lbs. This man is the heaviest and tallest world boxing champ in history! Imagine his daily vitamin dosage! His record so far is 50-2 and in his last career fight, he lost to David Haye in 2009. Valuev switched things up while retired and in 2017, Valuev became a seat-holder in Russia's parliament.

Choi Hong-man – Kickboxing, MMA, Ssireum

South Korea's Choi Hong-man at 7'2" is a mixed martial artist of superb fitness, who's also competed at the super heavyweight level of K-1 kickboxing. He has several monikers. One, “Techno Goliath," came from his days as a ssireum wrestler since, after a victory, he'd dance to techno music. The Japanese press refers to him as "Korean Monster," but he's also known as "Che Man" and “Korean Colossus." Choi saw more success in K-1 than he did in the MMA, where he chalked up losses to top competitors such as  Mirko Cro Cop and won against unknowns, including Jose Canseco. He lost his MMA match to Fedor Emelianenko in early 2018.

Ronnie Coleman – Bodybuilding

Ronnie Coleman might be flat on his back now with a big question mark hanging over his head as to whether or not he'll ever walk again due to extensive spinal injury and surgeries, but as to his bodybuilding days, he is a true legend. He seemed to possess a supernatural strength at 5'11" and about 300 pounds in weight, with his mean leg presses and 900 lbs of deadlifts - all rigorous sessions. He took the Mr. Olympia title on a record-breaking eight occasions and won twenty-six times in the IFBB - another record. A 2018 documentary on Netflix Ronnie Coleman: The King, featured his career.

Zdeno Chara – Hockey

As captain of the Boston Bruins, Zdeno Chára stands out for more than one reason. Yes, he's the one who represents the team but also the Slovakia native looks down on his teammates and practically everyone else at 6'9". Playing defenseman, he's historically the tallest NHL player. He's a Stanley Cup winner and has the fastest slapshot in the league; its maximum speed of 108.8 mph has led to him winning the challenge for five straight years. The competition is a feature of the  All-Star Games Skills competition. In March 2018, he inked a $5-million contract extension with the Bruins, which pretty much assured a robust bank account for the time being.

Mariusz Pudzianowski – Strongman, MMA

Is Mariusz Pudzianowski even human? This walking hunk of muscles comes from Poland, stands at 6'1", and weighs 300 pounds. Now, that's a fair amount of muscle weight, but there are other contestants in the competition for World’s Strongest Man who are significantly heavier. A strong believer in supplements, Mariusz is the winner of five Strongman metes, and this has put him in the Guinness Book of World Records. Remarkable achievement! But going for more, in 2009, he came out kicking as a mixed martial artist - and with impressive performance records too, like 12-4, and a 2018 fortune of $8 million.

Peter Crouch – Soccer

Peter Crouch at 6'7" may just be the single tallest player to ever grace the football field. But he's more being commended for his world-class level of playing the game. He's been dominating in the Premier League from '98. This should make for some pretty sweet earnings! His height has benefitted him as a striker where he's able to up his chances of having open situations for play. Crouch represented his home nation, England, at World Cup matches in 2006 and 2010, and played for teams like the Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham. In 2017, he extended his contract with the Stoke City F.C. to play for another year.

Manute Bol – Basketball

This dude was so big out on the court that the 7'7" Manute Bol looked like an escapee from the Land of the Giants, only he'd be one of the giants. He didn't really have a range of skills while playing but was just a specialist at blocking shots. Throughout his career, he scored about 1.6K points but blocked about 2.1K. Manute was recognized for his high level of charity, especially toward his native country, Sudan. He was also a political activist after retiring from basketball. In 2010, kidney failure ended his life. One of his sons, Bol Bol, committed to joining the Oregon Ducks in 2018.

Bob Sapp – Football, Kickboxing, Wrestling, MMA

Bob Sapp is tough. He tried having a career in American football during the '90s but it didn't work out for him. With a weight coming in at 350 pounds and towering at 6'5", he picked up Mixed Martial Arts and kickboxing, and a one-on-one encounter with him would be a fearsome thought. He has been seen mainly on circuits in Japan, such as K-1, Pride, and Rizin, losing more than he has won, but he's been resilient and a good sport, and still making money. In 2017, he fought in France at Fight Night Saint Tropez, going back to kickboxing after being away from it for almost two years.

Ivo Karlovic – Tennis

In the game of tennis, you'll find tall players, then there's Ivo Karlovic. A serve from this Croatian hunk standing at 6'11" could have his most capable competitor cowering in a corner of the court. Both the speed and individualized trajectory of his serve have caused him to be ranked among the top 14 globally at the ATP. He has the highest number of aces made during his career, with a speed of 144 mph - the fastest second server. Getting hit by just one of these will make you see a doctor! While still on the ATP Tour in 2019, Ivo has also become the oldest finalist since '77 at the Maharashtra Open.

Margo Dydek – Basketball

There are athletes who are big, and then there's Margo Dydek. Born and raised in Poland, at 7'2", she was the world's tallest woman basketballer. Yes, she was tall but she was also a very talented sportswoman. In the WNBA '98 draft, Margo was an overall first pick for the Utah Starzz. On the team, she made All-Star twice, and for blocked shots, she was number one. Dydek retired in 2008 with a record-holding feat of 877 blocks during her career (a record that has yet to be defeated). Sadly, she died in 2011 while pregnant. In 2019, Holly Rowe, ESPN commentator, was named the recipient of the Margot Dydek Award for 2018.

Dekoda Watson –Football

Dekoda Watson is on this list because he's been portrayed as killing it in the training camp as a mammoth muscular linebacker who has possibly been chemically enhanced. But this isn't quite the case, and someone's imagination must have been set at overdrive. Watson does have some bulging back muscles, wears his team jersey well, and, at one point, has played for the Tampa Buccaneers straight out of Florida State University, in 2010. But that's about it. The rest is Photoshopped. In 2017, Watson signed a $6-million contract to play with the San Francisco 49ers for three years.

Dalip “The Great Khali” Singh Rana - Wrestling

There is no true wrestling fan who doesn't know about Dalip Singh Rana aka The Great Khali. The man is a wonder to behold - a veritable giant towering over people at 7'1". He's more than just a tall man with his massive body that begins to put him into giant status. The Great Khali must consume an amazing amount of calories daily! He showcased his wrestling skills on a number of circuits before becoming a part of the WWE in 2006. In 2007, he became it the World Heavyweight Champ. With his various achievements, his wealth is estimated to be at $17 million in early 2019.

Eddy Curry – Basketball

When the NBA had its draft in 2001, Eddy Curry was picked fourth overall at 285 pounds. But afterward, he wouldn't stop expanding. The problem was that the seven-foot player was continuously growing horizontally! Eddy was in the NBA for eleven years on four separate teams. His 'ballooning' started with his transfer to the New York Knicks from the Chicago Bulls. He had heart problems which worsened over time. But finally, he got treated and his attending physician gave him the all-clear to play. He has left the NBA and has been playing with the ASEAN Basketball League's Zhuhai Wolf Warriors since 2018.

Nate Newton – Football

Surveying the field in American football, there were men bigger than Nate Newton. Sure, Nate did his workouts, but he certainly wasn't the biggest guy on the football field during his career. That said, this offensive guard was a true beast in the ranks of the Dallas Cowboys. When he threw his body of 335 pounds and 6'3" height around, his QBs were safe and defenders bullied. This man was like the wind beneath the wings of Emmitt Smith, who, with respect to rushing yards, was number one. Newton was selected for the Pro Bowl six times, won three rings, and built a wealth of $250K as of 2018.

Hafthor Julius “Thor” Bjornsson – Strongman

The probability is high on this sportsperson being recognized. A native of Iceland, specifically Reykjavik, he is Hafthor Julius Bjornsson. Though a strongman, Hafthor has also gotten into acting, and currently plays The Mountain or Ser Gregor Glegane on Game of Thrones, the popular HBO show. He would aggressively compete in World’s Strongest Man meets before he got into acting to increase his paychecks. For six straight years, he ended up among the highest three positions. He also brought home a silver in 2017 in the Arnold Strongman Classic, while in 2018, he got the gold. Hafthor, at 6' 9'', weighs 400 lbs.

John Isner – Tennis

Longer limbs offer an advantage in sports, right? That's probably true, at least if you look at John Isner who seems to have had an edge on the court during tennis competitions thanks to how tall he is. Standing at 6'10", he has had a magnificent career run. His professional career began in 2007, and this player has been victorious for a minimum of one title match yearly, excluding 2016. According to the ATP's records, the fastest recorded serve in tennis history - 157.2 mph - was made by Isner. John wed jewelry designer Madison McKinley, in December 2017, and they had a daughter in 2018.

Shawn Bradley – Basketball

The NBA is one league where a large percentage of the players are tall. But even the six-footers in the league had to crane their necks to look up to Shawn Bradley with his 7'6" body. He's now retired but a long way away from living in a retirement home. While he was still playing center, during the 1990s and 2000s, he was like the poster child of his team. Among the best shot blockers ever, he scored 14th place. Bradley has racked up a fortune of about $25 million to date.

Loek Van Mil – Baseball

Netherlands-born pitcher Loek Van Mil, at one point, played baseball in America. However, he got stuck at the Triple-A and Double-A levels, and not at Major League status. But irrespective of his level, as a pro player, he was a pleasure to watch in all his  7'1"-tall glory. Loek didn't just play in USA minors though, he hopped across the globe to Australia, Japan, and the Netherlands to play in several leagues there, probably acquiring luxury real estate in each country in the process. He competed in the World Baseball Classic in 2017 as a member of the KNB team.

Paul Millar – Soccer

By all indication, Paul Millar, Scottish football player, is the tallest pro player ever. It's said that he beats Kristof Van Hout, the goalkeeper from Belgium, by a hair. Being 6'10", he even surpasses Peter Crouch. In 2016, he stopped playing football, probably due to a 2014 injury on his ACL. He's recalled for, among other things, being the sole footballer to make a score for the Elgin City F.C during the playoffs for League Two. His son died in 2017 due to drug abuse at 26. Millar now tries to help young addicts.

John Daly – Golf

Golf pro John Daly has a very powerful character and stands at 5'11". At one point also, he weighed 285 lbs and in 2008, he underwent surgery (lap-band) to lose some of it. But Daly eats whatever he wants. Many sportspeople follow a certain diet program, but John's closest routine is consuming his daily diet Coke, and a lot of it, too.  Meanwhile, an interview with The Guardian's Ewan Murray in 2014 had Daly saying that he cut back his consumption to 10 to 12 cans of soda per day vs. his old 26 to 28 cans.

Gheorghe Muresan – Basketball

Gheorghe Muresan is certified as a giant at 7'7". For the record of the tallest NBA player, he and Manute Bol are neck and neck. He played center but his career ended prematurely due to injuries. He did, however, have the highest percentage of goals on the field in the league on two occasions. His large size got him acting parts too, and with it added fame and funds for his checking account. He was in films such as My Giant with Billy Crystal. He also did appearances for Eminem's music clip for his popular song My Name Is, and on a SportsCenter commercial. His wealth currently stands at $5 million.

Sharran Alexander – Sumo

Fellow wrestlers need some luck facing this person in the dohyo; she's 6-foot tall and weighs 448 lbs. Sharran made it to the Guinness record in 2013 as the heaviest female athlete in the globe. She was a childminder but in 2006 entered Strictly Lady Sumo, a show on the British Channel 4. She won at 41, and then that year, represented the UK at the World Sumo Championships held in Japan. She faced 24 other competitors and ended up on Britain's Sumo team. Her nutrition intake must be amazing. Sharran was a contestant on a British TV show called First Dates in April 2018.

Aaron Judge – Baseball

He has a kiddish face, but New York Yankees' Aaron Judge looks like no kid at 6'7". He's a hard hitter, and his hits usually end up on the upper decks. His strike zone is huge! He broke the record that rookie Mark McGwire had laid down for home runs, scoring fifty-two homers and became Rookie of the Year in 2017. He played in the game for All-Star. In April 2018, he became the player in MBL history to reach 60 home runs the fastest. If this is his start to playing the sport, his record at retirement will be phenomenal!

Shaquille O’Neal – Basketball

While Shaquille O’Neal became one of the best-known stars of the NBA with his 7'1" height and 325-pound weight, he also displayed his "Shaq Attack" aggressive-type of play and indomitable humor. Today, he's a sports analyst on TNT's Inside the NBA, and is still very famous, living the life with luxury cars and big houses. Shaq is popularly believed to be the among the most spectacular players in the NBA ever, and definitely one of the heaviest and tallest. His career spanned nineteen years, during which he played for six teams. In 2017, he got elected to be a part of the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Blanka Vlasic — High Jump

The high jump requires finesse, timing, and perfect coordination of limbs to get over the bar without touching it. So when you have longer limbs, it makes the whole maneuver that much more interesting. Blanka Vlasic of Croatia at a stately 6'3", has found a way to perfect her routine and use her height as an advantage. She 's among the world's best high jump athletes and has earned a silver medal at the 2008 summer Olympics, and a bronze at the 2016 Olympic games. Additionally, Vlasic has various gold medals from World Indoor Champs and World Championships. Reportedly, she now has a fortune of $2 million.

Maria Sharapova – Tennis

Russia's ace tennis player Maria Sharapova is also among the tallest females to ever grace the tennis court at the pro level. She's moved to the U.S. during the first half of the '90s and has been very diligent in her profession since. Making herself a part of the WTA Tour, she has significantly cemented her fame and earnings over time. Injuries and negative circumstances have at times affected her play, but despite these, she has recovered and returned to the court. Decades later, Maria is still a known name in people's homes, thanks to tennis. Believing in giving back and empowering, Sharapova kicked off a mentorship program for women entrepreneurs in 2018.