In the world of athletics, stars come in all shapes and sizes! Be it in baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, soccer or football, wrestling, and mixed martial arts - there are just too many different types of people who make it big despite the odds!

Here, we have listed some of the athletes who have an unusual physical trait for their profession, like short basketball players, or tall gymnasts. More is at play in these cases than just fitness, so don't you go judging a book by its cover. It's not all about physical attributes alone! Skill and talent come from within and it can even come from shocking sources!

Darya Klishina - The Long Jumper At 5'11''

Russian long jumper, Darya Klishina was the only athlete from the Russian team allowed to compete in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. The Russian team was suspended due to a breach of anti-doping rules. Receiving approval to compete wasn't easy for Darya; she had to receive special permission from the International Asociation of Athletic Federations. 

She ended up competing and qualifying for the finals but placing ninth. She also competed in London at the 2017 World Championship in Athletics, this time as a neutral athlete and she won a silver medal after completing a 7-meter jump. It was the best of her season, being only two centimeters behind the gold medalist.

Dalip “The Great Khali” Singh Rana - Fills The Room At 7’1”

Dalip Singh Rana is a wrestling legend known by fans as ‘The Great Khali.' As his nickname suggests, he is a marvel and a grand frame to behold! His head towers at 7’1” and he is muscular and intimidating! He was named 2007’s WWE World Heavyweight champ.

The Great Khali has years of wrestling to speak for his time in the circuits and he actually is the first Indian wrestler to have signed with the WWE, when he signed up in 2006. He also has a name and reputation in the world of film and TV entertainment, having taken on a couple of roles in some full movies and on TV shows.

Nate Robinson - An NBA Ace At Just 5’9”

Nate Robinson is an NBA journeyman with skills to boot. It’s been argued that his fourth year in the league has been his best season yet and we've he’s seen it with the New York Knicks. He is an impressive player for his less-than-impressive height of 5’9”!

He is best remembered for his incredible, high-flying theatrics as he gives quite a show in his games. He certainly makes up for his short height with his staggering 43.5 in vertical! It seems this one has some springs at the bottom of his shoes! Nate is known for delivering some of the best blocks in the history of the NBA.

 

Franck Ribéry - Stands At A Modest 5’7”

Franck Ribéry is the star winger of Bayern Munich and he has undoubtedly proven his fast footwork and nasty skills on the field. Ribéry is a Frenchman who stands at a modest 5’7” and so his explosive speed compensates for his lack of height!

Ribéry's somewhat thickset frame hasn’t affected his game, though, as he has twice represented France in the prestigious World Cup, in 2006, and in 2010. He’s also represented the country in the UEFA championship in 2008 and in 2012. His portfolio also shows that he’s been French Player of the Year three times – as icing on the cake, of course!

Muggsy Bogues – Shadowed At 5’3”

Tyrone Bogues, better known as ‘Muggsy,' was a professional basketball player who had taken a lot of comedy over his short frame for a tall man’s game! Muggsy, who is now in retirement, was one of the world’s most recognizable undersized athletes and became known by those who didn't even watch basketball!

This point guard was shadowed in the court at his diminutive 5’3” height. He is considered the shortest NBA player in all of history and we think he will hold this title for a very long time indeed! Bogues was a starter for the most part of his career and he was the Charlotte Hornets fan favorite.

Diego Maradona - The Football Legend At 5'5"

While there are those who consider Messi as the greatest player the world has ever seen in the history of football – the ones who object are those who continually support the legendary Diego Maradona as the holder of the prestigious title!

Like Messi, Maradona made up for his lack of height through his skills with the ball – and he aced the game at just 5’5” when it came to height! He is an iconic player during his time and has left us with a memorable infamous incident in the history of the sport itself – the ‘Hand of God’ goal of the World Cup of 1986. In 1997, as he turned 37, Maradona fulfilled his retirement planning.

Yao Ming– Towering At 7’6”!

Yao Ming happened to be basketball’s biggest thing from China! By ‘thing,' what we really mean is ‘movement’ because he was more than a player! Playing center at a towering 7’6”, he was a force of nature and was selected by the Houston Rockets as the No 1 overall player.

Ming is a former CBA MVP and a champion of 2002 and went on to be an All-Star a whopping eight times out of nine NBA seasons! Unfortunately, he was blindsided by a slew of foot and ankle injuries that broke his momentum and forced him into early retirement.

Eric “Butterbean” Esch - A Very Unassuming 5"11"

Eric Esch is endearingly nicknamed ‘Butterbean’ by his loving fans and he happens to be the best example to describe why the old adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ simply is so true. While ‘Butterbean’ looked a little round and soft, when he stepped into the ring during his heydays, he was an opponent and a half!

He comes in weighing at a staggering 425 lbs and standing at just 5’11” – so that’s a lot of weight for a guy his size to be carrying around! He was practically a wrecking ball and he retired with quite a portfolio and a reputation from the wrestling ring as a super heavyweight fighter.

Bob Sapp - Stands At An Intimidating 6'5"

Bob Sapp is a mixture of a football player and a martial artist, so you can imagine just how intimidating he can actually be! Sapp comes in at 6’5” and 350 lbs, and he is likened to something of a henchman! This comparison refers to his fighting skills, too, of course!

Sapp’s NFL career didn’t work out as he had hoped after 1997’s draft when he was picked in the third round. He continued to work on his fitness training then turned his attention to Mixed Martial Arts and to kickboxing. He managed to find success as a professional wrestler, though, so he wasn’t hung up about what happened with the NFL.

Ivo Karlovic - Stands Tall At 6'11"

Ivo Karlovic is a towering Croatian tennis player that stands at a grand 6’11” and his serve is forceful – enough to strike fear in the toughest of opponents! He has been lifted to No. 14 in the ATP world rankings and is the record holder for most career aces. He continues to enjoy his earnings from playing professional tennis at age 40.

Karlovic is also the holder of the second highest recorded serve in the history of tennis, as recognized by the association ATP, coming at 156 miles per hour. He has a good hand on him, that’s for certain! Between the years 2007 and 2016, Karlovic won eight ATP singles titles!

Margo Dydek - A Dizzying Height Of 7'2"

Meet Margo Dydek – the Polish native professional basketball player who was the tallest female athlete in the sport! She was an overwhelming 7’2”, even taller than most of the tallest male athletes the world has ever seen.

Dydek was selected as No. 1 overall in 1998 WNBA draft by the Utah Starzz and she went on to earn recognition as an 8-time leader in blocked shots and also a 2-time All-Star. She retired in 2008 but she still holds the record of 877 WNBA blocks. Sadly, Dydek died in 2011 after having a cardiac arrest while she was pregnant with her third child.

Paul “Big Show” Wight- An Overwhelming Height Of 7’0”

Paul Wight is the much-loved ‘Big Show’ and his nickname is a rather accurate description of him! As an athlete, he sure does put up a show and it is grand, but so is his monstrous size! He comes in at a staggering 7’0” and weighs an intimidating 383 lbs. He’s been a professional wrestler since 1995.

Wight is a WWE staple and he’s been a World Champ for a whopping seven times! He is overwhelmingly popular and this has led to him to have a long list of acting credits and guest appearances on TV and in films. Some examples of what his portfolio lists are The Waterboy and Jingle All the Way.  

John Isner - A 6'10" Frame

John Isner has a frame of 6’10” and we are willing to bet it has come in handy in his career as a professional in the tennis court. In 2007, Isner has turned pro and ever since 2010, Isner has won at least a single title each year (except for 2016), earning him some significant money.

He is well known for his devastating serves and he holds the record for the fastest serve recorded by the ATP - at a whopping 157.2 miles per hour! He sports a long list of wins against intimidating opponents and he ranks No. 9 among the top 10 tennis players, which is certainly well deserved, to say the least.

Loek Van Mil - Towers At 7'11"

Loek Van Mil is a Dutch pitcher who may not have made it to the major leagues in baseball but has fluctuated between Double-A and Triple-A throughout his time playing in America. He stands at a towering 7’1”, and watching him is simply astounding!

His name is as long as he is tall; his parents named him Ludovicus Jacobus Maria Van Mil! He bounced around with the US minor leagues at first and then spent some time pitching in leagues, in regions such as The Netherlands, Japan, and in Australia. Van Mil appeared in 2007’s World Baseball Classic.

John Daly - Nothing To Look Up For At 5'11"!

John Daly is the PGA golfer that everyone has heard about. He has a larger-than-life personality, which is not something easy to find in the world of golf. Daly is a modest 5’11” in height, but he sure boasts a personality that fills the room! He maxed his weight out at 285 lbs in 2008!

He made the choice to undergo lap band surgery in 2008 as even his gameplay began to suffer from his putting on unwanted pounds. He is said to be a heavy smoker (roughly consuming 2 packs daily) and drink about 26-28 cans of soda a day! Talk about being a ‘big’ star!

Gheorghe Muresan - The 7'7" Phenomenon

Gheorghe Muresan is what we can call a giant! He is a man of enormous size and it has earned him plenty of added attention in the world of acting. He landed roles in films like My Giant and in the music video for My Name Is by Eminem.

Muresan is tied with Manute Bol as the tallest player in the history of the NBA! Unfortunately, his career was cut short by injuries and he was perhaps advised by doctors to rethink his options. But before that, this former Romanian basketballer managed to earn the recognition for being the Most Improved Player of 1996 and lead the league in field goal percentage in 1996 and 1997.

Aaron Judge - Overseeing All From 6'7"

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees has scored big time over his professional career. Judge resembles an adult who has slipped under the radar and managed to sneak into those high upper decks – but he is mighty talented. Sources say that his salary for the current season is at $684K, though he continues to work his way up the scale.

He stands at 6’7”, with an incredible strike zone that cranks the ball into those upper decks we mentioned! He broke a record in 2017, scoring 52 home-runs and earning the title, Rookie of the Year. He won the Home Run Derby and made it to the All-Star game, too! We’ve got our eye on this guy!

Sun Mingming - A Mountain Of A Man At 7'9"

Meet the Chinese basketball player who happens to be the tallest professional basketball player to have ever played the sport! Hang on, the Guinness World Records seems to say that Suleiman Ali Nashnush was taller. Oh well, Mingming's the tallest in the world right now, and he is 7’9”!

He weighs in at 370 lbs and wears a shoe size that will drop your jaw – size 20! He was drafted in 2007 by the Harlem Globetrotters, though he never played for them. As the biggest and tallest usually do, he has made several appearances as an actor.

Earl Boykins - 5'5" But Makes Up With Talent!

Ohio native Earl Boykins overcame the big men of the NBA just like Muggsy Bogues had to. Boykins enjoyed an illustrious career in the NBA and in the 12 seasons that he had played, he amassed a staggering 5,752 points and a total of 34 blocked shots!

He sure was an impressive player, our Mr. Boykins! He also happened to manage to rebound 866 balls! Not bad at all for a man standing at just 5’5”! After retiring from playing professional basketball, he hasn't strayed far from the sport. In fact, Douglas County High School got him as its varsity basketball team head coach.

David Eckstein - Only 5'6" But A Great Infielder

David Eckstein was named ‘Just Enough’ as his nickname, and the second baseman’s nickname was rather fitting! Eckstein was a player with a height of 5’6” and he lacked what it took to be a five-tool player. Fortunately, he had the speed and the ability to hit for average.

However, not all was lost with his game! His defensive skills were superior as an infielder and he earned respect for that. He found himself World Series champion twice and in 2006, the World Series MVP when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals. Interestingly, after retiring in 2010, David has been helping his wife run a fashion/accessories business catering to women who are sci-fi fans!

Ray Rice - Zooming Past Opponents At Just 5'9"

Ray Rice is the former running back for the Baltimore Ravens and he clocks in at a height of 5’9”. He happened to be the team’s second all-time leading rusher, after Jamal Lewis and was also second place in rushing attempts as well as touchdowns.

Rice was one of the NFL’s most dominating backs and he boasted a consistent rush of 1,200 yards. He made a hit in 2011 when he rushed for 1,364 yards and added another whopping 704 yards through the air! In spite of his small package, Ray Rice sure sported a smashing punch! Unfortunately, his career went south after he faced arrest for domestic violence and getting suspended.

Darren Sproles - Not Your Typical NFL Player At 5'6"

One glance at Darren Sproles in his 5’6” frame could have people thinking it’s a gimmick – a short running back sprinting on the football field! Well, the NFL take Sproles pretty seriously as he is a grand player! He doesn’t disappoint, either.

He signed with the New Orleans Saints and the four-year deal was sealed in 2011 and struck him gold, worth $14 million! In his very first year playing for the New Orleans Saints, Sproles managed to achieve eight touchdowns, right through the air, on the ground, and even returning punts. He sure proved himself, alright!

Nataliya Kuznetsova - Female Bodybuilder With 18.5-inch Biceps

Born in 1991, Nataliya Kuznetsova started powerlifting at the age of fourteen. Today, after she has spent practically half her life in the gym, she holds numerous world titles for bench press at 385 lbs, deadlift at 529 lbs, and arm lifting. Meanwhile, her personal record for squats is at 617 lbs. Nataliya stands at 5'7" and weighs 225 lbs. She is considered to be one of Russia’s most famous bodybuilders on top of being the heaviest female bodybuilder in the entire world. A large part of her income comes from her many nutrition brand sponsorships.

Danny Woodhead - Fast And Stealthy At 5'7"

Danny Woodhead is a 5’7” former NFL running back and he sure doesn’t give off the image of being a bruiser! Woodhead has invested almost his entire life in proving that books shouldn’t be judged by their covers and he seems to have managed to do it just fine in his athletic career.

Woodhead, a native of Nebraska, played Division II football in Chadron State, his home state, becoming an all-time rushing leader and earning the Harlon Hill trophy not just once, but twice! Woodhead played in the NFL for nine seasons and assisted the New England Patriots to reach the Super Bowl XLVI.

Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson - 5'3" Of Pure Fighter!

While the MMA organizations across the globe have many talents and top names, the UFC boasts the most talented and the most passionate of fighters. UFC Flyweight Champion, Demetrius Johnson, is one such talent, and he is known as ‘Mighty Mouse.’

Johnson is the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and it is true that at a glance, he doesn’t fit the bill, standing at just 5’3” and weighing in at 125 lbs. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding! He has only suffered two losses during his time of competing in the bantamweight division. He remains undefeated, which says a lot about his fitness and skills!

Brian Gionta - Slicing the Ice At 5'7"

Brian Gionta is a 5’7” man of 178 lbs, and he is a former professional NHL player from 2001 until late 2018. He first signed up with the New Jersey Devils and played seven seasons before moving to Montreal Canadiens for five years. He had also spent three years with the Buffalo Sabres.

He was a true sports hero as he actually turned down many offers between 2017 and 2018 so that he could adhere to the new rules of the NHL that barred players from participation. He captained Team USA and returned to the Boston Bruins thereafter. He entered retirement before he turned 40.

Simone Biles- A Dainty 4’8”!

It isn’t news that gymnasts are popular for being the smallest of athletes, but Simone Biles gives ‘compact’ a whole new meaning, with her dainty size of just 4’8”! Biles was the shortest Team USA gymnast to have competed in the 2016 Olympics!

Biles brings truth to the saying that ‘dynamite comes in small packages’ because she has been awarded an incredible five Olympic medals at the Games of 2016. She collected gold for years in World Championships, too. She is the only American to have bagged the gold in both teams all-around and individual competitions in the same year!

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet - 5'2" Of Mean Muscle Power

People who are passionate about CrossFit training are often made fun of because they are known to talk about little else! This CrossFit Games champion over here is the Canadian bombshell, Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, and she stands at a little over five feet! Make no mistake of joking about CrossFit with this woman!

Leblanc-Bazinet chucks around weights like she’s playing in the park and she crushes her competition in spite of her underwhelming height of 5’2”. It just shows you that height means little because strength comes from within! Every inch of Camille is hard muscle (thanks to her rigorous workout), and it more than makes up for her small frame!

Nathan Gerbe– A Little Guy At 5’4”

Nathan Gerbe stands at an underwhelming 5’4”, but don’t be fooled by his stature! Gerbe may be the shortest player in modern NHL but he has serious skills to compensate for his shortness in height! He’s been playing since 2008 at the professional level. According to capfriendly.com, a gross salary of $1.35 million awaits him by the end of the 2020 season, counting from 2018.

Gerbe has had stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and Columbus Blue Jackets and he has won the hearts of many for his undeniably tenacious play. He’s gotten himself wound up in a couple of notable scuffles with larger opponents and he is referred to as ‘Tasmanian Devil’ or ‘The Gerbil.'

Joe Morgan - Fast And Nimble At 5'7"

Joe Morgan played in the MLB for practically an entire lifetime, as his career spanned over twenty years, from 1963 to 1984. He was 40 years old when he decided to hang up his boots! And he found all this success at his height of 5’7”! Because of his being short, he was dubbed ‘Little Joe.'

Little Joe was a second-base phenomenon throughout his career and he earned nine of his whopping ten All-Star selections playing for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds retired his No. 8 jersey in honor of his iconic service to the team. Morgan is still making money through hosting a radio show and by serving as the Reds' special advisor.

Ronnie Coleman - A Boulder Of A Man At 5’11”

Ronnie Coleman is arguably the world’s greatest professional bodybuilder in all of history. Yes, he's even greater than the famed Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has practically put bodybuilding on the map in the first place! Coleman is a legend in the muscular sport and there’s no doubt about it.

Coleman has seen success like no other professional in his field. He won Mr. Olympia eight times, earning a record of a staggering 26 IFBB wins in his career! His competition weight is an astounding 300 lbs for a man of just 5’11” and his arms measure up at 24 inches! Coleman's professional bodybuilding career spanned almost two decades - from 1990 to 2009.

Isaiah Thomas - A Bit On The Small Side At 5’9”

Isaiah Thomas is the point guard of the NBA and he has traveled a journey from obscurity to stardom that is simply incredible. He enjoyed a rewarding college basketball career in Washington but was unfortunately overlooked by the teams initially – which wasn't surprising due to his 5’9” height!

Eventually, his time had come and he was chosen as the last pick in the NBA draft of 2011! He has not disappointed the league, having shown periods of utter brilliance with the Phoenix Suns as well as the Sacramento Kings. He now rides with the Boston Celtics. Thomas has earned two All-Star selections with this team and is the shortest player to earn that honor!

José Altuve– Standing At An Underwhelming 5’6”!

José Altuve is a superstar player for the Houston Astros and once upon a time, he was actually told that he was too ‘small’ to play baseball – and they meant it literally! Altuve stands at a shocking 5’6”! In fact, he was rejected due to his lack of height!

By the year 2017, however, Altuve was proudly proving (to everyone who had doubted him), horribly wrong. He found himself standing smack center of attention, hoisting the prestigious World Series trophy with a big smile on his face! He boasts several individual honors through his career as well, like the 2015 Golden Glove and the four Silver Slugger Awards, to mention a few.

Sharran Alexander - A Giantess At 6'0"

Sumo wrestling is an interesting sport and we all know the images that come to mind when one thinks of a sumo wrestler. With Sharran Alexander tipping the scales at a massive 448 lbs for her 6’0” frame, it's safe to say that she is the epitome of a sumo wrestler.

Alexander claimed the throne in 2013, as the heaviest sportswoman as deemed by the Guinness Book of World Records. Her journey began when she competed in Strictly Lady Sumo, Britain’s Channel 4 TV show. She was already 41 at the time, so not a spring chicken!

Lionel Messi– A Short Frame Of 5’7”

Lionel Messi is a superstar in the world of football. In fact, people who have never watched a single football game even know of this insanely famous star player! The Barcelona FC athlete has certainly made his fans proud in spite of his short frame!

He may be short in height but certainly not in talent, as anybody who has watched him play can attest to. He is widely considered the world’s greatest footballer of his generation and he has been awarded five Ballon d’Or awards as well as five European Golden Shoe awards.