Wladimir Klitschko – Professional Boxer
If you were to watch a game of basketball, a player that registered at 6’6 would look relatively short. However, in the boxing ring, a 6’6 man built out of pure muscle and anger is a sight to behold. Wladimir Klitschko is a terror in the ring and his punches have probably led to some not so cosmetic surgery for his opponents. Moreover, Klitschko is nearly a foot and a half taller than his wife, Hayden Panettiere.
Jon Rauch – Relief Pitcher
Baseball isn’t typically thought of as the sport for physical specimens, but boy Jon Rauch could have changed that. Rauch was a right-handed reliever who played for 11 years in the MLB. The Louisville native stood at 6’11 and was an absolute monster on the mound. Weight loss plans? Pfft, this dude would eat you for breakfast.
Logan Ondrusek – Relief Pitcher
While we’re on the subject of physically imposing relief pitchers, Logan Ondrusek of the Cincinnati Reds definitely makes the list. Ondrusek stands at 6’8 and just north of 230lbs. Ondrusek could re-arrange your face with a slap, sending you for cosmetic surgery. Fortunately, Ondrusek stuck to throw 95+ MPH heat from the mound.
Akebono Taro – Professional Wrestler
At 550lbs, this former Sumo Champion has turned to professional wrestling in order to make an impact. Taro is a dominant figure and his figure looks almost otherworldly. While he surely couldn’t hut from some weight loss plans, Taro has turned his weight into an advantage in the ring. Oh, yeah, Taro also stands in at 6’8. (Pictured right).
Mariusz Wach – Professional Boxer
Wach is a monster of a man and formerly one of the most physically imposing boxers in the game. Wach stands at 6’7 and weighs in at 250lbs. Wach squared off against Wladimir Klitschko in 2012 for a fight that shook the earth with each blow. There isn’t enough cosmetic surgery in the world to fix a face that is punched by this man. We’ll leave the cosmetic surgery for the reality stars and make sure we don’t cross his path.
Ronnie Coleman – Bodybuilder
If you win Mr. Olympia 7+ times then it stands to reason that you are pretty massive. Ronnie Coleman doesn’t just look huge, he looks like he can follow weight loss plans to a T and that is integral to success in the bodybuilding world. Coleman is 5’11, 297lbs, and probably 6% body fat. Just a beast.
Kameron Loe – Relief Pitcher
Next up is, Kameron Loe, the physical embodiment of how size doesn’t always equal success. Loe is 6’8 and 245lbs but he never could keep the ball in the park — a notable failure for a pitcher. You can’t get cosmetic surgery done on your ERA bud, you’ll have to make other weight loss plans.
Roy Hibbert – NBA Center
Hibbert earned the nickname Mr. Verticality for a reason — and not because he can jump high. Hibbert is 7’2 and during his prime was one of the most dominant rim protectors in the NBA.
Joe Finley – NHL Defender
Finley never quite stuck it in the NHL, but boy did he look scary when he was on the ice. Finley was 6’8, 250 lbs and had the wingspan of a Thunderbird. You did NOT want to see this guy bearing down on you while chasing the puck.
Andy Fordham – Professional Darts
So, Fordham didn’t make a living throwing a ball through a hoop but we still count darts as a sport. Andy Fordham redefined size in a sport that didn’t need it. At 6’2 and 445lbs, you always knew where Fordham was. Fordham’s been on a few incredible weight loss plans and now stands at just 275lbs, good for him.
Jonathan Broxton – Relief Pitcher
Playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Jonathan Broxton was the largest guy in the clubhouse. Broxton stood at 6’4 and 300lbs while he was active in the league. He must have gone to the same trainer that Bartolo Colon went to.
John Daly – Professional Golfer
Built like an offensive lineman, John Daly waas one of the most famous golfers in the world during his prime. Daly teed off at 5’11 and a rotuned 370lbs. Was his weight the source of his driving skills? We’re not sure, but he was one of the best to ever pick up a club.
Nate Freiman – MLB 1st Baseman
Finally, we have our first gargantuan slugger. Nate Freiman is 6’8, 250lbs and was one of the scariest batters you could face off. Unfortunately, Freiman never stuck it in the MLB and hasn’t played since 2014. He currently plays in the Mexican Baseball League.
Bob Sapp – Professional Boxer
Bob Sapp would terrify anyone he came across in the ring despite his poor W/L record. Sapp was 6’5 and 390lbs during his prime and now spends his time acting.
Adam Dunn – MLB 1st Baseman
Adam Dunn had precisely two outcomes during his prime: home run or strikeout. Dunn stands 6’8 at just under 290lbs. He’s an intimidating hitter who put in a lot of good work over the years.
Zdeno Chara – NHL Defenseman
Chara is the tallest player in the NHL at just over 6’9 and he is also one of the best players in the game. Chara is going into his 19th season in the NHL, the majority of which he has spent with the Boston Bruins. (Pictured right).
CC Sabathia – Starting Pitcher
CC Sabathia is one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers to ever take the mound. He’s also one of the largest. Sabathia stands at 6’7 while weighing in just shy of 290lbs. He recently resigned with the New York Yankees.
Stefan Struve – MMA Fighter
Stefan Struve stands at 7′ tall and is nicknamed The Skyscraper. He’s a trained kickboxer and probably at least half-alien. We’ll pass on getting into the ring with this guy.
Pau Gasol – NBA Center
A surefire Hall of Famer, Pau Gasol turned into one of the most important players in Laker history when he teamed up with Kobe Bryant for a championship.
John Krahn – NCAA Lineman
John Krahn captivated the nation when his high school recruiting video went viral. At 7 feet tall and over 440lbs, Krahn would become the biggest player in NFL history were he to be drafted.
Shaun Rogers – NFL Defensive Tackle
When you are this big and this fast, football should come easy. Shaun Rogers was a 6’4 menace on the defensive side of the football for over 13 years. He was 6’3 and 350lbs in his prime.
Eric Esch – Professional Boxer
Eric Esch was a raw fighter in the early years of the UFC’s popularity. Esch was 5’11 and 425lbs during his heyday and well known for sweating a lot while terrifying his opponents.
Hong-Man Choi – Professional Fighter
If you were to have run across a man like Hong-Man Choice a couple hundred years ago, you’d likely be convinced that giants existed. Nowadays, we know that this 7’2 fighting monster is completely human. Hong-Man Choi is a Korean icon, known for his ability to go from MMA to kickboxing in the blink of an eye. We advocate never getting into a fight with a man that is 7’2 unless your name is Oberyn Martel…and even then…
Ivo Karlovic – Professional Tennis Player
At 6’11, Karlovic is easily the tallerst player to ever professionally weild a tennis racket. With his massive wingspan, getting past Karlovic was a tough task for anyone.
Musashimaru Koyo – Sumo Wrestler
Is choosing a sumo wrestler considered cheating for a list like this? Oh well. Koyo was 6’4 and 518lbs when he became the most dominant Japanese Sumo wrestler in the world. He reigned as a champion for a decade, winning over 700 fights while pushing past barriers as a foreign-born wrestler. He eventually reached the prestigious rank of Yokozuna.
Marcus Cannon – NFL Lineman
If Marcus Cannon can ever stay healthy, he’ll be a dominant force in this league. Cannon is 6’6 and 335lbs and one of the starting linemen for the New England Patriots. Cannon has been in the league for 7 years.
Andre The Giant – Professional Wrestler
Andre ‘The Giant’ Roussimoff needs no introduction. Andre was 7’4 and 529lbs when he became a professional wrestler and he would later spend some time acting for motion pictures. Andre died early on in his life due to complications from his size and lifestyle choices, but boy did he leave an impression.
Manute Bol – NBA Center
Bol played for a decade in the NBA and he was one of the scariest paint-defenders in the league during that timeframe. Bol was 7’7 and he struggled to stay healthy, due almost entirely to health issues related to his size.
Shaq – NBA Center
Shaquille O’ Neal. The Big Diesel. At 7’1 and 325lbs, Shaq is one of the biggest players to ever hit the hardwood. He’s also arguably one of the best players to ever pick up a basketball. Here’s to you, Shaq.
Aaron Judge – MLB Outfielder
Judge is currently one of the youngest up-and-coming stars in all of baseball. Standing at 6’7, Judge has become both the Jury and the Executioner when at the plate for the New York Yankees. He’s already won Rookie of the Year and he’ll likely be a mainstay in homerun derbies for the next decade.
Peter Crouch – Football (Soccer) Player
English football (soccer) player, Peter Crouch, is a striker for Stoke City. At 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), Crouch is easily one of tallest football players! Currently he holds the record for most headed goals and is also the fifth most expensive British footballer of all-time (when it comes to transfer fees anyways).
Yao Ming – Basketball Player
37 year old Yao Ming is a retired pro basketball player who played for the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA and the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Ming’s final season in the NBA also meant he was the tallest active player at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). Currently he spends most of time working heavily with various charitable organizations.
Big Show – WWE
Paul Donald Wight II, AKA Big Show, is a seven-time world champion who stands at 7 ft! Oh, and his weight? A cool 383 pounds, yeah we wouldn’t want to be up against him! Outside of wrestling, he’s also an actor, currently he isn’t wrestling due to a hip injury.
The Rock – WWE
Dwayne Johnson, AKA The Rock, really needs no introduction. Both inside the ring and out, his is a name that’s well known. I mean, he is considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time – so, can yah smeeellllll what the Rock…is cooking?! Also, surely you’ve seen his films, such as The Scorpion King, The Fast and the Furious franchise, and Baywatch.
Gogea Mitu – Boxer
The Guinness Book of World Records lists Gogea Mitu as the tallest professional boxer. So just how tall is he? 7.7 ft (2.36 m) – yup, you read that correctly! Mitu won two boxing fights before contracting tuberculosis and passing away at age 21.
Hasheem Thabeet – NBA
Standing at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m), Tanzanian basketball player Hasheem Thabeet was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009. Currently the 30 year old plays for the Yokohama B-Corsairs of the Japanese B. League.
Andy Carroll – Football (Soccer)
English football player Andy Carroll is currently a striker for West Ham United. And at 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), the 29 year old may not be the tallest footballer, but he’s pretty darn close. Known for his powerful aerial abilities, Carroll is a massive opponent on the pitch.
Gheorghe Muresan – NBA
Meet Gheorghe Muresan, the tallest NBA player in history, standing 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) we totally understand that. From 1991 to 2006, the Romanian played professionally and in ’93, he was selected by the Washington Bullets. As it stands, Muresan is the tallest person in Romanian.
Nikolai Valuev – Boxer
From 1993 to 2009, Nikolai Valuev pursued a boxing career and between 2005 and 2009, he held the WBA heavyweight title twice. Standing at a height of 7 f (2.14 m) and a weight of 328 pounds (149 kilo), Valuev is known for being the tallest and also the heaviest world champion in boxing history. Currently Valuev is a Russian politician.
Shawn Bradley – NBA
American–German Shawn Bradley played in the NBA for three teams, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks. At a height of 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) tall, Bradley was just one of the tallest players in NBA history. Bradley retired in 2005.
Tor Hogne Aarøy – Football (Soccer)
Norwegian football forward, Tor Hogne Aarøy, is known to be one of the world’s tallest professional footballers – he is 2.04 m (6 ft 8 1⁄2 in) tall.
Hafþór Júlíus “Thor” Björnsson – Strongman
Icelandic professional strongman, “Thor” Björnsson, is perhaps best recognized for his role as Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane on the series Game of Thrones. At 6 ft 9 in, we’d say “Thor” and “The Mountain” are appropriate nicknames.
Sun Mingming – NBA
Currently Sun Mingming is THE tallest basketball player in not just the NBA, but in the world. At 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m) tall, the Chinese star is also an actor. Maybe you recognize him from Rush Hour 3?
John Cena – WWE
Some WWE veterans have referred to John Cena as the greatest WWE star of all time, and seeing how he has 25 championships to his name, we get it. Apart from wresting, Cena is also a rapper, an actor, and TV host. Furthermore he has a heart of gold, Cena works heavily with various charitable organizations, especially Make-A-Wish Foundation — in fact, Cena has actually granted the most wishes in Make-A-Wish history. That’s just amazing.
Mark Eaton – NBA
From 1982 to 1993, Mark Eaton played as a center for Utah Jazz. Eaton became the best defensive centers in NBA history all thanks to his height, 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) to be exact. He has racked up 134 goals in his career.
Richard Sligh – NFL
At 7 feet tall, Richard Sligh is indeed the tallest player in professional football history. Sligh was a defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders. Sadly in 2008, Sligh passed away at the age of 64.
Suleiman Ali Nashnush – Basketball Player
Libyan basketball player, Suleiman Ali Nashnush, was one of the tallest basketball players to step foot on the court – 8 ft 0.4 in (2.449 m) sounds incredibly tall to us! Moreover Nashnush is just one of 17 people who has passed 8 feet tall. Sadly he passed away in 1991.
Hulk Hogan – WWE
IGN called Hulk Hogan, “the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s.” I mean, that pretty much says it all, now doesn’t it? His name, his face, his look are all recognized easily worldwide. At 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and 302 pounds, he was a force to be reckoned with inside the ring. Outside of wrestling, Hogan is also an actor, musician, and entrepreneur.
Morteza Mehrzad – Paralympian
Hailing for Iran, Morteza Mehrzad is THE tallest Paralympian and also the tallest volleyball player. How tall is he, you ask? Just a mere 8 ft 1 in (246 cm). That tall enough for you?
Édouard Beaupré – Strongman
Canadian Édouard Beaupré is known as the tallest strongman and tallest wrestler. I mean, he did work in a circus as the freak show giant. Beaupré stood at 7 ft 8 in (233 cm), sadly he passed away in 1904 due to tuberculosis.
Dalip Singh Rana – Wrestler
You probably know him better by his ring name, The Great Khali. Known for his towering height (7 ft 2 in, 218 cm), The Great Khali is in the books as the eighth tallest professional wrestler in history back in 2014 and as the fourth tallest wrestler in WWE history in 2017. Although there are some sites that claim he is the tallest active wrestler.
Jorge González – WWE
As far as the tallest WWE wrestlers go, Jorge González is number one. He’s best known as El Gigante for WCW between 1989 and 1992 and as Giant González in the WWF in 1993. The Argentinian suffered from gigantism, his height reached 7 ft 7 in (231 cm). At age 44 in 2010, González passed away due to complications from diabetes and heart issues.
Kristaps Porziņģis – NBA
Meet the Latvian NBA power forward, Kristaps Porziņģis. At 7 ft 3 in (221 cm), Porziņģis is actually tied for the ranking of tallest active NBA player. Currently he plays for the New York Knicks.
Boban Marjanović – NBA
Standing at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m), the Serbian plays the center position for the Detroit Pistons. Boban Marjanović ties for the slot of tallest active NBA player, wonder who he ties with? Kidding.
Giant Silva – Mixed Martial Artist
Paulo César da Silva, AKA Giant Silva, played for the Brazilian national basketball team then he switched to mixed martial artist and finally, he was a professional wrestler. To date, Silva is the tallest kickboxer and mixed martial artist, standing at 7 ft 2 in (218 cm).
Małgorzata “Margo” Dydek – WNBA
Everyone meet, Małgorzata “Margo” Dydek the tallest player in WNBA history. At 7 ft 2 in (218 cm), this Polish center plays for the Los Angeles Sparks. In 1999, she was awarded the Polish Gold Cross of Merit.
Dmitriy Muserskiy – Volleyball
29 year old Dmitriy Muserskiy is a member of the Russia national volleyball team. And you guessed it, he is tallest volleyball player in the world. Standing at 7 ft 2 in (218 cm), Muserskiy certainly has an advantage over his opponents.
Renan Zanatta Buiatti – Volleyball
Now we go to the Brazilian national volleyball team where Renan Zanatta Buiatti is the tallest volleyball player. Although he’s tied with Muserskiy in that case, with a height of 7 ft 2 in (218 cm).
Mohammad Irfan – Cricket
Pakistani left arm fast bowler, Mohammad Irfan is considered to be the tallest player to play first-class and international cricket. Standing at 7 ft 1 in (216 cm), we understand why the 35 year old holds such a record.
Loek van Mil – Baseball
33 year old Dutchman Loek van Mil currently plays for Adelaide Bite of the Australian Baseball League. At a height of 7 ft 1 in (215 cm), Loek van Mil is known as the tallest baseball player. And with an average speedball of 95 miles per hour (153 km/h), we’d say he’s doing well for himself.
Richard Metcalfe – Rugby
Born in Leeds, England Richard Metcalfe is still considered the tallest rugby union player, even though he had to retire in 2003. At 7 feet (213 cm), Metcalfe was a force to be reckoned with at the front of the line-out.
Ted van der Parre – Strongman
Did you know we’d include the tallest ever World’s Strongest Man on this list? Well you do now. Standing at 7 feet (213 cm), Parre even has the lowest WSM BMI of 35. Now that’s impressive. 1991, 1992, and 1994 are the years he came in first place at the Netherlands Strongest Man contest.
Semmy Schilt – Kickboxing
Have you ever wondered who the tallest kickboxing world champion is? We suppose you know the answer now, Semmy Schilt of course. At a height of 6 ft 11 in (212 cm), this Dutchman is the only one in K-1 history to have won the world championship three times in a row. ~Round of applause, all.~
LeBron James – NBA
Granted, LeBron James is not the tallest NBA player, but he’s still in the ranking. At 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), we’d say he’s pretty tall! Besides his height, James is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. And with his list of accolades, we’re not surprised (no, we won’t list them all, but know that there’s tons of them to his name.)
Aaron Sandilands – Football
You’re looking at the tallest player in Australian Football League history, Mister Aaron Sandilands. The 35 year old Australian stands at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm). Since 2003, Sandilands has been playing for Fremantle.
Usain Bolt – Sprinter
You know the name. The retired Jamaican sprinter became the very first person to hold the 100 meters and 200 meters world records before fully automatic times became mandatory. Currently he holds the world record for the 4 × 100 metres relay and is also the reigning Olympic champion in three events. At 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m), Bolt is quick and his height has nothing to do with it.
Zlatan Ibrahimović – Football (Soccer)
Swedish professional footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović may only be 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m) but he is one of the best footballers around. Just ask him yourself, he’ll tell you the same. Having won 32 trophies in his career since 1999, Ibrahimović is (as of right now) the second-most decorated active footballer in the world.
Michael Phelps – Swimming
There isn’t much about Michael Phelps we could tell you that you don’t already know. But let’s be real about one thing, his height of 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) may have helped him in certain ways, but Phelps’ determination, skill, dedication, is what sets him apart from all other Olympians. But then again, so do his 23 Olympic gold medals.