Men’s volleyball may be dominated by taller players, but that doesn’t mean short guys are completely left out.

In fact, six of the shortest men’s volleyball players have had an outsized influence on the sport. And today, we’ll be taking a closer look at each of their accomplishments. 

The 6 Shortest Men’s Volleyball Players

Here they are, from shortest to tallest…

Farhad Zarif

Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Weight: 132 pounds

Spike: 114 inches

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Iranian-born Farhad Zarif is the shortest professional men’s volleyball player to have achieved wide success in the sport. And at under 5 and a half feet tall, he’s as much as a full foot shorter than many of his competitors!

His height gave him a special advantage as his team’s libero, or back row defense. Sadly, his career was cut short by family difficulties, ending in 2014.

Taichir? Koga

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Weight: 154 pounds

Spike: 115 inches

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Playing the role of libero for Japan’s men’s national volleyball team, Taichir? Koga has been instrumental in leading his country to victory in three different national championships.

With over 150 matches under his belt in 29 different tournaments, this young but seasoned player has a long and promising career ahead of him.

Matías Sánchez

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Weight: 141 pounds

Spike: 120 inches

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Futbol might be the national sport of Venezuela, but Matías Sánchez chose to take his athletic talents to the volleyball court as an expert setter. He’s achieved such skill in this position, in fact, that he’s won the “best setter” award eight times over.

Right now, he’s pulling double duty as part of both the Argentine men’s national volleyball team and the French club Tourcoing LM.