Size is a relative characteristic that can make a significant impact in most competitions. Boxers are classed and compete according to their weight classification in boxing, whereas being notably tall might be a big benefit in basketball. Consider the world’s largest athletes to have appeared in sporting history.
Maria Sharapova – 6’2”
Many people remember the talented former tennis player Maria Sharapova, but many people are unaware that the Russian-born tennis player is one of the tallest women in the game. She hit her first tennis ball at the age of four and has since demonstrated her exceptional talent on the court. The 6 foot 2 inch right-hander reached the top spot in 2005, but she retired in February 2020. She is currently the third-highest earner in the sport.
Holley Mangold – 5’8’’ and 415 lbs
Holley Mangold is an American weightlifter who weighs 415 pounds and has a lifting record of 562 pounds. She is five feet and eight inches tall. Holley began weightlifting in 2008 and has since represented the United States at the Olympics. She finished tenth out of fourteen competitors in her division. Holley demonstrated her strength by surviving a head-on crash with relatively minor injuries by simply moving the steering wheel aside.