Ice hockey · Canada · 1979–1999
Wayne Gretzky
Ice hockey — holds or shares 61 NHL records
The Great One was never the biggest, fastest, or strongest player on the ice — and out-scored everyone in history anyway.
The blind analysis put "Javelin throw" first. Wayne Gretzky became a legend in ice hockey anyway — bodies are a starting point, not a destiny.
BODY MEASUREMENTS
| Measurement | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 183 cm | NHL.com player profile |
| Weight | 84 kg | NHL.com player profile |
| Wingspan | 187 cm | Est.1 |
| Leg Length, Inseam | 85 cm | Est.2 |
| Torso Length | 63 cm | Est.3 |
| Shoulder Width | 47 cm | Est.4 |
| Hip Width | 38 cm | Est.5 |
| Hand Size | 20 cm | Est.6 |
| Foot Size | 27.8 cm | Est.7 |
- 1.02×height (male population ratio; no published arm span)
- 0.463×height
- height − legLength − 0.19×height (head/neck)
- 0.257×height
- 0.206×height
- 0.108×height (published NBA/NFL 'hand size' is span, not length, so the ratio is used)
- 0.152×height (no reliably published shoe size)
WHAT THE AI SAW
Build type
LONG-LIMBED
- •Positive ape index (+4 cm) enhancing reach and leverage
- •Long legs vs. shorter torso (leg:torso ≈ 1.35) for stride and lunge
- •Favorable shoulder-to-hip ratio (≈1.24) indicating V-taper and rotational power potential
- •Large hands (20 cm) supporting grip-intensive skills
- •Wingspan-to-height ratio ≈1.022, beneficial across reach-dependent sports
THE AI'S SPORT RANKINGS
Javelin throw
Long arms (+4 cm ape index) increase the radius of rotation and release height; long legs aid a fast, elastic approach and block step; V-tapered upper body supports shoulder-hip separation and whip. Large hands improve spear control. Height and mass are within successful ranges seen among top throwers.
Fencing (Épée)
Above-average height with a positive ape index and long legs confers superior lunge reach and distance. Narrow hips and moderate mass aid quick directional changes and tempo control. Épée especially rewards raw reach advantages.
Tennis
Good serving and baseline reach from a positive wingspan; long legs aid court coverage and first-step speed; V-taper supports rotational power on serve and groundstrokes; large hands improve racquet control. Height is within the common elite range.
Kickboxing / Muay Thai (middleweight)
Long limbs extend striking range for jabs, teeps, and round kicks; 183 cm/84 kg suits middleweight frames; V-taper aids rotational speed for punches and knees; large hands help glove control and clinch grips.
Golf
Longer arms increase swing arc and potential clubhead speed; strong shoulder-to-hip differential favors efficient X-factor and rotational power; large hands aid consistent grip pressure and face control.
BIOMECHANICAL READ
- 1Long-limbed leverage: extended arms and legs improve reach, lunge distance, and implement speed at release.
- 2Rotational power potential: broad-ish shoulders with narrow hips support high angular velocity for throws and racquet swings.
- 3Power-speed balance: 84 kg at 183 cm suggests good force production without excessive inertia, supporting explosive approaches and changes of direction.
- 4Efficient linear mechanics: long legs aid acceleration, approach speed (e.g., javelin runway), and court coverage.
- 5Grip advantage: large hands benefit ball/racquet control, clinch control, and secure implements (e.g., javelin).
LESS ADVANTAGEOUS IN
- •Heavyweight on-water rowing (shorter torso and only moderate height reduce stroke length vs. elite norms)
- •Pool swimming sprints (relatively shorter torso and only moderate foot size vs. elite swimmers)
- •Basketball/volleyball frontcourt roles (height disadvantage at elite levels)
- •Rock climbing/bouldering (higher body mass reduces strength-to-weight advantage despite positive ape index)
- •Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting bench press (longer limbs/legs increase moment arms and reduce mechanical efficiency)
- •Marathon/ultra-distance running (mass is high relative to elite endurance morphology)
METHODOLOGY
The AI analysis above was generated from the nine measurements listed — nothing else. The model never saw Wayne Gretzky's name, photo, or sport; it received the same anonymous input as any visitor who uses the tool. The verdict compares its blind rankings with reality.
Measurements marked Est. are not publicly documented and were estimated from published data using the noted anthropometric ratios.
This page is editorial commentary. My Best Sport is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wayne Gretzky.
MORE ATHLETES
WHAT ARE YOU BUILT FOR?
Enter your own measurements and get the same AI analysis Wayne Gretzky got.
ANALYZE MY BUILD →