Croatian tennis player Ivo Karlovic is 6 feet 11 inches tall. He soars above his competitors and is by far the tallest professional tennis player around. Karlovic uses his incredibly long arms and legs as leverage for powerful serves that overwhelm his opponents.
With a record-breaking serve reaching 156 miles per hour and the most career aces, 12,255 as of 2017, he is more than just a tall guy. Karlovic also won eight ATP singles titles between 2007 and 2016.
Zdeno Chara – 6’9″
Zdeno Chara is the tallest player in the history of the NHL. With a height of 6ft 9in opposing teams try and steer clear of this immense defensive player. In his native Slovakia, Chara was encouraged to play basketball due to his height but was luckily drafted by the NHL. Chara is captain of the Boston Bruins and leads his team with a mix of hard work, dedication, and an in-your-face attitude on the ice.
He played in the Olympics and World Championships multiple times and made several appearances on the NHL all-star team. Chara is only the second team captain born and raised in Europe to win the prestigious Stanley Cup.
Darya Klishina – 5’11”
Darya Igorevna Klishina is one of the top long jumpers in the world. She has an Olympic silver medal and the record for the second-longest jump in the world in 2010. Klishina is well known for her incredible work ethic on the track and in the gym.
Unfortunately, Kilshina suffered by association with the Russian National Federation scandal. The Russian team was banned from competition and twenty athletes, including Klishina, decided to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio as neutrals. This was not viewed favorably by the Russian government and public and many consider these athletes to be traitors.
Hong-Man Choi – 7’2″
Korean kickboxer, wrestler, and mixed martial artist Hong-Man Choi is known by many names, including “the Korean Colossus,” “Korean Monster,” and “Techno Goliath.” At 7ft 2in, Choi knows how to use his superior size to overpower his opponents.
Sadly, Choi is on the road to retirement due to health reasons, but he is still a big star in South Korea. These days, he is pursuing an acting career and has appeared on Korean TV shows “2 Days & 1 Night”, “Running Man”, and “Hey Ghost, Let’s Fight,” and is also working on singing and rap skills.
Rik Smits – 7’4″
Rik Smits may not be one of the tallest players in NBA history, but at 7 feet 4 inches, it’s easy to see why Smits, known as “The Dunking Dutchman,” dominated the game in his prime. Smits, who was born in The Netherlands, was known for more than just his height; he had good technical skills and was considered a smart player.
In 1998, he was even named as an NBA all-star. Smits played for his entire career with only one team, the Indian Pacers. I bet the good folks of Indiana appreciated the decision.