There is no denying that the ladies would easily be as good, if not better, than the models if they did not enter the athletics world. Continue scrolling… to read about these iconic powerhouses…
Natalie Coughlin
Natalie Coughlin is a competitive swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist. As a result, she won twice the World Swimmer of the Year Award and three times the American Swimmer of the Year Award. In addition to appearing on TV and as a speaker for the C20 Coconut Water program, Coughlin has written a book and modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which doesn’t come as much of a shock considering her impressive talent and radiant beauty.
Natalie Coughlin
Blair O’Neal
Blair O’Neal, ever-so stunning, has been playing golf since she was just 11 years old. Blair began to play for the American Junior Golf Association at the age of 13, and her career grew only from there. After four years of college golf at the Arizona State University, O’Neal started to play professionally while building a modeling career. In any case, the blonde bombshell has been quite busy over the years.
Blair O’Neal
Kim Glass
Kim Glass, an indoor volleyball star who joined the United States’ national team in May 2007. The following year, Glass made her first Olympic appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, helping Team USA to a silver medal. In addition to being a champion in her particular sport, Glass has also dabbled in modeling. Kim was featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue while at college and auditioned for America’s Next Top Model five times.
Kim Glass
Silje Norendal
Silje Norendal, a professional Norwegian snowboarder, competes in Slopestyle. Now 26 years old, there is no doubt that Norendal has achieved a great deal in her entire career so far. In 2013, she won gold at the Tignes Winter X Games in Europe, but Norendal also finished fourth at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea. Apart from her indisputable talent, Norendal also received attention for her breathtaking looks and radiant smile, modeling different brands and magazines.
Silje Norendal
Lindsey Vonn
Lindsey Vonn is an American former World Cup alpine ski racer for the U.S. Team Ski. After skiing at the age of two, Vonn continued to have a very successful career winning multiple championships and Olympic gold medals. While Vonn retired in 2019, she will always be remembered for her insane talent and striking beauty. Over the years, Vonn has modeled various magazines, including the 2010 and 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and Maxim.
Lindsey Vonn
Ana Ivanović
Ana Ivanović is yet another star who has dominated the world of tennis. Ana began competing professionally in 2003 before retiring in 2016. During her career, Ana won several singles titles and was even ranked No. 1 in 2008. Ana, despite her retirement, has not slowed down. Ana has modeled for many other magazines, including Harper’s Bazaar, Bella, and Vanity Fair.
Ana Ivanović
Katarina Witt
Katarina Witt’s retirement from figure skating did not mean that her name was forgotten, as she continues to work in film and TV. In any case, she rose to stardom after winning two Olympic gold medals for East Germany. She is a four-time world champion as well as a two-time world silver medalist. The fact that she won the championship in gymnastics speaks volumes about her beauty and talent.
Katarina Witt
Gabrielle Reece
Gabrielle Reece has made a name for herself as a professional volleyball player and as a sports announcer, fashion model, and actress. After playing college-level volleyball for Florida State University on a scholarship while continuing her pro volleyball career, Reece moved to New York City to pursue a parallel career as a sports fashion model. Then again, we can’t say it surprises us as much as it looks natural in front of the camera, not to mention her stunning look.
Gabrielle Reece
Danica Patrick
The most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing was Danica Patrick. The racecar driver was dominant in her sport before retiring. The only IndyCar Series win by a woman was her 2008 win in the Indy Japan 300. Through her talent and looks, Patrick, a widely recognized athlete, has become an icon of pop culture. Not only did she do film and tv work, but she was also a cover model for magazines such as FHM, Sports Illustrated, TV Guide, and ESPN: The Magazine.
Danica Patrick
Kerri Walsh
Another powerhouse is Kerri Walsh, a professional beach volleyball player. Kerri has impressed fans throughout her career by becoming a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a one-time Olympic bronze medalist. No wonder Kerri has also gone on to do television and modeling work, appearing in the ESPN: The “Body Issue” magazine, with pictures taken both before and after her third child was born, given the fact that she’s so beautiful.
Kerri Walsh
Jennie Finch
Jennie Finch is a former professional softballer. During her career, she became a collegiate All-American and a medal-winning Olympian, and a two-time pro-All-Star. With this being said, there is no denying that this blue-eyed beauty was an unstoppable force in her respective sport, so much so that Time magazine described her as the most famous softball player in history.
Jennie Finch
Anna Kournikova
Named one of the People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People, Anna Kournikova is a former Russian professional tennis player who has won several WTA Championships and Grand Slam titles. Although her career was cut short due to serious back and spinal problems, Kournikova is still a household name. Kournikova is also known for her relationship with Enrique Iglesias, a singer, and songwriter.
Anna Kournikova
Amanda Beard
Ashley Beard first rose to fame as a seven-time professional swimmer and Olympic medalist. Unsurprisingly, she has received the American Swimmer of the Year Award twice for her success. Beard came out of retirement in 2010 and placed second in the 200-meter breaststroke at the National Championships that year after a brief hiatus. Beard has also been known to do modeling work, including walking fashion shows, apart from being an extremely gifted swimmer.
Amanda Beard
Trish Stratus
Born Patricia Anne Stratigeas, Trish Stratus is a fitness master, fitness model, professional wrestler, actress, and television personality. Trish was interested in wrestling throughout her childhood, but it was not until after pursuing a modeling career that the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) noticed her. Then, in November 1999, the Canadian superstar signed a multi-year contract with the firm.
Trish Stratus
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova, a Russian native, had an extremely fruitful career before her retirement in February 2020, winning a medal at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. In different magazines, including a feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and making a name for herself in athletics, Maria was known for her work. She also appeared and was the face of several fashion houses in several advertisements for brands like Nike.
Maria Sharapova
Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey is an American professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, often referred to by her nickname “Rowdy,” who won Olympic judo medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics. It was not until 2018 that Rousey began a professional wrestling career, signing a contract with WWE. Aside from whooping butt in the ring, Rousey has also enjoyed success as both an actress, author, and model.
Ronda Rousey
Serena Williams
Serena Williams stole our hearts the minute she turned professional in 1995. While we could sit down here all day telling you guys all that Serena did, we’re pretty sure you already know that. In any event, Serena is a force to be reckoned with and displays no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Besides dominating tennis courts worldwide, this goddess also enjoys her fair share of television and modeling work.
Serena Williams
Aly Raisman
Aly Raisman, the captain of both the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics teams of the 2012 “Fierce Five” and 2016 “Final Five,” is a retired gymnast and two-time Olympian who made waves in the athletic world after becoming the 2016 Olympic individual all-around silver medalist and floor exercise silver medalist. Aside from her unstoppable talent, Raisman has stunned fans with her poise and grace. Not only has she done modeling work over the years, appearing in different magazines, but she was also a contestant for Dancing With the Stars.
Aly Raisman
Lolo Jones
Over the years, Lolo Jones has gained public attention because of her immense talent and exotic looks. Three NCAA titles were won by Jones, an American hurdler, and bobsledder, and 11 All-American honors were won while attending Louisiana State University. In addition to essentially ruling in her respective sport, Jones has also done modeling work for magazines including the ESPN: The Magazine’s “The Body Issue,“ as well as Outside’s cover.
Lolo Jones
Michelle Wie
Michelle Wie, a professional golfer, started playing when she was only 10 years old. At that stage, she became the youngest player to qualify for an amateur USGA championship. Beyond that, Wie was also the youngest U.S. winner. Amateur Public Links Women’s and the youngest to qualify for an LPGA Tour event. Michelle finally took her career to a professional level in 2005, shortly before her 16th birthday, accompanied by enormous publicity and endorsements, unsurprisingly.
Michelle Wie
Eugenie Bouchard
Eugenie ‘Genie’ Bouchard is a professional tennis player who has definitely made quite a name for herself in the last few years. At the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, Bouchard became the first Canadian-born player representing Canada to reach a Grand Slam singles tournament. Aside from these achievements, including awards, Bouchard has also been noticed for her effortless beauty.
Eugenie Bouchard
Miesha Tate
Miesha Tate is a mixed martial arts American pundit and a former mixed martial artist. In fact, her fighting technique has only earned her praise from different peers and media outlets. However, outside of MMA and the UFC, Tate has designed various websites and publications, including ESPN: The Magazine and Fitness Gurls. Tate has become the VP of the Singapore-based mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, and kickboxing promotion for the ONE Championship since her retirement.
Miesha Tate
Skylar Diggins
This beauty queen, Skylar Diggins, is a professional Phoenix Mercury basketball player in the National Women’s Basketball Association (WNBA). After getting drafted third by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Diggins immediately rose to fame with her fierce talent. She was named a WNBA All-Star four times and was recognized as the WNBA Most Improved Player in 2014. For several magazines, including Vogue, when she’s not on the court, Diggins keeps busy with modeling work.
Skylar Diggins
Hilary Knight
Undoubtedly, Hilary Knight, an American Olympian and a professional ice hockey player, are among the sport’s strongest people. She is currently a forward with the PWHPA-Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and the United States National Women’s Ice Hockey Team. Knight also models and is involved, aside from shredding ice, in the well-known #LikeAGirl campaign, making her the ultimate role model for girls worldwide.
Hilary Knight
Torah Bright
Torah Bright is an expert snowboarder and Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian, hailing all the way from the country below. Bright has easily become one of the sport’s major names with her aggressive riding style and amplitude. Throughout the years, she has gone on to win various medals, awards, and accolades. With so many accomplishments under her belt, it’s hard to imagine Bright still having time for anything else!
Torah Bright
Becky Lynch
Perhaps one of the most charming people to grace the WWE ever is Becky Lynch. It is no surprise that, with her adorable accent, powerful skills, and beautiful appearance, Becky is loved by many. Even though the red-headed beauty is currently signed to WWE on the Raw brand, she was on maternity leave as of May 2020. In acting, Lynch also dabbles, aside from wrestling. She graduated with an acting degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, but she also attended Columbia College in Chicago and the Gaiety School of Acting.
Becky Lynch
Candace Parker
It is safe to say that Candace Parker has definitely established herself not only in women’s basketball but in the world of basketball as a whole. After getting the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, this six-foot-four-inch goddess has helped the Los Angeles Sparks win various titles. With several awards and accolades under her belt, Parker will be a household name forever. When she is not bouncing the ball around, she spends her time as the studio analyst for CBS Sports NCAA men’s tournament coverage and NBA on TNT.
Candace Parker
Nastia Liukin
The name of this blonde-haired beauty, a former artistic gymnast, is Nastia Liukin. Nastia has won several awards and accolades throughout her gymnastic career, including the 2008 All-Around Olympic Champion. She was also a five-time Olympic medalist, the 2005 and 2007 World Balance Beam Champion, and the 2005 World Uneven Bar Champion. Since her retirement and The Nastia Liukin Cup, Nastia has remained busy with television work, an annual gymnastics competition in the United States by Liukin.
Nastia Liukin
Hope Solo
Another native of Washington state to make this list is Hope Solo, a former soccer player. The stunner was the goaltender for the U.S. women’s national soccer team between 2000 and 2016, in which she became a World Cup champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Considering that she is considered one of the top female goalkeepers globally, we think it’s safe to say that Solo is a name that will never be forgotten.
Hope Solo
Gina Carano
We might be in love with Gina Carano, in all honesty. Look at her, we mean! In any event, Carano began her career in Muay Thai, where she became the face of women’s MMA, although it was not long before she switched to mixed martial arts. After she retired from competition, Carano decided to keep busy with acting and modeling work. In a list of ‘Top 10 Influential Women’ of 2008, Carano was featured in ESPN: The Magazine and Maxim in fifth place.
Gina Carano
Anastasia Ashley
Anastasia Ashley started surfing at the age of five, right before moving to Hawaii. By the time she turned six, Ashley had won a surfing contest, using a run-down board she had found in the trash right outside her house. A year after that, Ashley ultimately picked up a sponsor, which would replace her board with new ones. Ashley has achieved a great deal as a professional surfer and a model that takes her flawless looks into account and does not shock us.
Anastasia Ashley
Simone Biles
At this point, a famous figure is Simone Biles, a Belizean-American artistic gymnast. She is the most decorated American gymnast and the third most decorated globally, with thirty Olympic and World Championship medals. Having been referred to by many as the ‘biggest gymnast ever,’ Simone continues to work in other industries outside of sports. Nike and other big brands endorse her, and it is obvious that her beauty is just the cherry on top of a wildly successful career.
Simone Biles
Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens is an American professional tennis player whose undeniable talent was recognized internationally at the 2013 Australian Open, where she defeated Serena Williams. She has won several awards, including the award for WTA Comeback Player of the Year. Sloane has been the face of several big brands, including Under Armour, Nike, and American Express, represented by TLA Worldwide throughout her career. Her stunning appearance, coupled with a long list of athletic accolades, is sure to contribute to her success for years to come.
Sloane Stephens
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is an award-winning Haitian and Japanese professional tennis player who has successfully been ranked No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association. As the first-ever Asian player to hold the highest tennis singles ranking, Osaka has become known as the ‘first’ of many athletic efforts. As Naomi is endorsed by several major brands, such as Nissan and Shiseido, a world-renowned cosmetics company, her beauty has not gone unnoticed either.
Naomi Osaka
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie is a former professional American basketball player currently serving as a head coach in the BIG3 professional basketball league. It is no wonder that in 2015, with a long career full of numerous achievements and awards, she was inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition to her incredible sports history, Lisa has also secured a noteworthy reputation in fashion and media, with several roles on TV and numerous appearances in Vogue and Newsweek.
Lisa Leslie
Mia Hamm
Considered an icon in the world of soccer, Mia Hamm is a retired professional player who, during her career, became a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a two-time FIFA Women’s World champion. During her time as an international player, Hamm signed endorsement deals with big brands, including Gatorade, Nike, Dreyer’s Ice Cream, Pepsi, and Nabisco, among many others. However, Hamm could have done extremely well as a model if she had not been a star on the field, considering her striking appearance and experience posing for magazines such as Sports Illustrated, Time, and People.
Mia Hamm
Gabby Douglas
Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas is an artistic gymnast from the United States. She was a member of the gold-winning teams at both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics and is known as the first African American to become the Olympic individual all-around champion. Her incredible achievements and her striking beauty took her career off the mat and into the media and film. An author and star of her own reality TV series, Gabby does not seem to be slowing down shortly.
Gabby Douglas
P.V. Sindhu
Having made her international debut in 2009, Pusaria Venkata Sindhu is an Indian professional badminton player. At just 17 years of age, she rose to the top 20 of the BWF World Rankings in 2012. Since that time, she has won multiple Super Series titles. She is not only athletically talented with her multiple brand endorsements, such as JBL, Gatorade, and Panasonic, but her beauty has also made waves in the sports industry.
P.V. Sindhu
Maya Moore
A professional basketball player from America, Maya Moore is a member of the Minnesota Lynx WNBA. Her athletic talent and hard work in 2017 resulted in her being named the inaugural Performer of the Year by Sports Illustrated. In addition to numerous awards and championships won, Maya now uses her criminal justice reform platform. Regardless of her future endeavors, her athleticism and activism, and certainly her beauty, are sure to be remembered.
Maya Moore
Claressa Shields
As an American professional boxer, Claressa Shields has multiple world championships. She won gold medals in both the Olympics in 2012 and 2016 and remained one of only seven boxers, male or female, to hold all four major world boxing titles. In addition to her remarkable boxing career, Claressa has been the star of a documentary, and continues to find acting work in films and advertisements, not surprisingly, considering her talent is punctuated by extreme beauty.
Claressa Shields
Allyson Felix
Allyson Michelle Felix is an athlete who is globally recognized. She is an American track and field sprinter who has won awards in all of her events: 100, 200, and 400-meters. And in 2017, she was recognized as the most decorated athlete in the World Athletics Championships’ history, with 18 career medals. Not only is Allyson a talented, successful, and revered athlete, but she is undeniably beautiful as well.
Allyson Felix
Simone Manuel
Professional swimmers are often recognized for their physique, and Simone Ashley Manuel is no exception to that. She’s an American competitive swimmer specializing in freestyle sprints. In the 2016 Olympics, her talent and hard work won her two gold and two silver medals. She has also signed with TYR Sport, Inc., an American manufacturer of swimwear and triathlon apparel, and will definitely find further success as an athlete and a model.
Simone Manuel
Venus Williams
Venus Williams, Serena’s older sister, deserves her flowers for her many athletic accomplishments. She was found to have a great tennis talent at the age of seven and then used it. On three separate occasions, the Women’s Tennis Association has ranked Venus as #1. Venus also holds a degree in fashion design and business administration. With numerous athletic and professional accolades already under her belt, she never stops.
Venus Williams
Sydney McLaughlin
Sydney McLaughlin, renowned for her time at the University of Kentucky before winning the 2019 World Championships with a 400-meter hurdles silver medal, is an American hurdler and sprinter. In 2018, she broke the records of the college and NCAA for the same event. Later that year, she turned professional. Sydney comes from an athletic family, with both mom and dad having a history of competitive running.
Sydney McLaughlin
Elizabeth “Liz” Cambage
Liz Cambage is currently a professional basketball player playing for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. The current WNBA single-game scoring record, her 53-point performance in a game against the New York Liberty, is one of her many contributions to the sports world. She has been reported to have been teased by her growing height, standing tall at six-foot-five-inches. But now, who came out on top with records and multiple accomplishments to her name, including a memorable Olympic Games slam dunk, is clear.
Elizabeth “Liz” Cambage
Laila Ali
Laila, the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali’s daughter, is a former professional boxer who competed from 1999 to 2007 before retiring undefeated. Not only does she have an undeniable presence, but she is also gorgeous. The powerhouse has also appeared in various magazines such as Sports Illustrated, People, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, among many more.
Laila Ali
Courtney Force
Courtney Force, 16-time NHRA World Funny Car Champion John Force’s youngest daughter, isn’t your ordinary woman. After following her father’s steps and becoming a drag racer, the blonde-haired beauty worked hard to become a household name. The force also worked on television during her career, including A&E’s reality show, Driving Force, with her family.
Courtney Force
Daniela Hantuchová
Daniela Hantuchová is a retired tennis player from Slovakia. After becoming a professional, Daniela made her breakthrough in 2002, when she won her first WTA tournament, and that was the first of many successes to come during her 18-year career. While Daniela made a name for herself as a world-famous tennis star, she also modeled for magazines like Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and ESPN: The Magazine’s “The Body Issue.”
Daniela Hantuchová
Crystal Dunn
Crystal Alyssia Dunn Soubrier is an American soccer player who is wildly talented and strikingly gorgeous. She plays for the National Women’s Soccer League’s North Carolina Courage (NWSL). In 2015, she was the youngest player to win both the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot awards. It is safe to assume that she will be in the game for a long time, since she first started playing, with numerous sporting successes.
Crystal Dunn
Brie & Nikki Bella
The WWE twin teams and professional wrestling tag teams are the same as Nikki and Brie Bella. With Nikki holding the title twice and Brie once, both former Divas Champions are the Bella Twins. Still very much in the spotlight are Nikki and Brie, even though they are now retired from wrestling. Nikki and Bella, apart from enjoying a motherhood life, have their hands full of modeling work and running their own beauty line, Nicole + Brizee.
Brie & Nikki Bella