If They Didn’t Become Professional Athletes, These Talented Ladies Could Have Been Models
These ladies might dominate in their respective sports, but they definitely could have swapped in their athletic gear and switched industries. Seriously, take away the skiing helmet and goggles, and Lindsey Vonn could have been a model!
And she’s not the only one. Training their bodies to be in peak condition all of the time, these female athletes are stunning enough to grace something other than the cover of Sports Illustrated; they could have been strutting down the runway during fashion week!
Danica Patrick Looks Good On And Off The Track
Before retiring in 2018, Danica Patrick was an absolute machine, becoming the most successful female in American open-wheel racing. Along with her multiple titles, Patrick is able to put her win at the 2008 Indy Japan 300 on her resume — the only female to win an IndyCar Series race.
Aside from her skills on a track, it’s impossible not to notice the driver’s startling good looks. It’s probably why she’s graced more than one magazine cover, including Sports Illustrated and ESPN: The Magazine.
Blair O’Neal’s Smile Lights Up The Golf Course
Born and raised in Arizona, it’s no surprise Blair O’Neal began playing golf at the age of 11. After playing collegiately for Arizona State University, O’Neal moved on to the professionals, playing in the big leagues for over ten years.
Of course, it’s impossible to become a professional athlete without establishing a modeling career with looks like O’Neal’s. She has walked many runways throughout the years and modeled in print magazines such as Maxim, Golf Digest, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and Men’s Health.
Anna Kournikova Has Been Named One Of The Most Beautiful People In The World
Although Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova’s professional career was cut a bit short, she was a household name for quite some time, and not just for her good looks. This stunner had multiple Grand Slam titles under her belt, as well as WTA Championships.
Kournikova’s skills might have been impressive, but her good looks gained her more than one admirer. It’s not a surprise that People named her one of the 50 Most Beautiful People. Kournikova could definitely make a living modeling!
Lolo Jones Is A Triple Threat: Two-Sport Olympian And Beautiful
There’s a reason why people know the name Lolo Jones, and it’s not solely because of her beautiful exotic looks. Well, it might be a little bit of that. With 11 All-American honors and three NCAA titles, Jones was favored to win gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Bejing.
Unfortunately, she tripped over the second to last hurdle, losing her lead and finishing the race in seventh. But that loss didn’t slow this runner down in the slightest. Did we mention she’s also an Olympic bobsled racer?!
Lindsey Vonn Is Stunning
Three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn is a former US Ski Team alpine ski racer. Strapping on her first pair of skis at the age of two, Vonn went on to have quite a successful career, including 82 World Cup gold medal wins!
Of course, this stunning lady has done a bit off the mountain. In 2019, a documentary on HBO was released called Lindsey Vonn: The Final Season, illustrating Vonn’s final World.
Gabrielle Reece Is Beach Babe Goals
When it comes to sports and athletics, Gabrielle Reece has done it all. Not only did she play volleyball at the collegiate level at Florida State University, but she played at the professional level as well before pursuing an announcer position.
With her stunning beach-ready looks, it might not come as a surprise to learn that Reece also dabbled in a bit of sports fashion modeling while on the professional circuit. Come on; she looks like a natural, not only on the court but in front of the camera!
Silje Norendal Is So Sweet Looking
Silje Norendal is a Norwegian professional snowboarder who competes in slopestyle and big air competitions. While she didn’t make it to the podium during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Korea, Norendal has proven to be a serious competitor, winning gold at the X-Games in 2013.
Aside from her talent, this snowboarder has garnered a lot of attention for her sweet smile and breathtaking good looks. It’s not surprising that many brands have picked her up to model their gear.
Kim Glass Looks Good Even When Sweating
At over six-feet tall with a stunning face, it was pretty impossible for volleyball player Kim Glass to go unnoticed by the modeling world for long. This gorgeous lady is more than her good looks, which led her to grace the 2011 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Glass joined the United States National Team in 2007 before helping Team USA win silver at the 2008 Bejing Summer Olympic Games, her first appearance at the games.
Alica Schmidt Is Considered One Of The Most Attractive Athletes In The World
Alica Schmidt might be a young athlete, but there’s no denying she has the track and field world in an uproar for both her records and good looks. Not only has she been dubbed the future of German athletics, but she is thought to be a gold medal contender at the 2021 Summer Olympics.
When she is training or competing, it might come as no surprise that Schmidt does a bit of modeling. Honestly, we’d be concerned if she didn’t!
Natalie Coughlin Has Modeled For a Few Magazines
Competitive swimmer Natalie Coughlin is a twelve-time Olympic medalist and the first female to go under one minute in the 100-meter backstroke — not an easy feat! This radiant beauty is more than her talent in the pool, though.
After spending most of her life in the pool, Coughlin dried off and made a few television appearances, including Dancing with the Stars and Chopped. She’s also modeled for the cover of ESPN The Magazine: The Body Issue.
Aly Raisman Was A Stunning Two-Time Captain
Aly Raisman made waves in the world of gymnastics when she won Olympic silver for both the individual all-around and floor exercise events. There’s a reason why she was named captain of both the 2012 “Fierce Five” and 2016 “Final Five” women’s gymnastics teams at the Olympic games.
Even though she isn’t flipping around in a gym anymore, Raisman has used her good looks, poise, and grace to model for various magazines. She even participated in a season of Dancing with the Stars.
Ana Ivanović Has The Best Smile
For years, Ana Ivanović dominated the world of tennis, winning several singles titles and being named the number one player in the world in 2008. Retiring in 2016 after years in the professional circuit, Ivanović hasn’t slowed down in the least!
Aside from being a mother and wife, Ivanović has used her good looks to her advantage, modeling for various high-profile magazines, including Bella, Vanity Fair (Spain), and Harper’s Bazaar.
Katarina Witt Is A Unique Beauty
In 1984, Katarina Witt brought home to East Germany her first Olympic gold medal, propelling her to stardom. She might have retired from competitive figure skating in the 1980s, but that doesn’t mean the world’s forgotten the name Witt or her beauty.
A consecutive six-time European Champion, an accomplishment made by one other skater, it’s no wonder Witt was pretty much East Germany’s poster child for all things sports-related. But with her unique looks and unmatched skill, how could she not?
The Gorgeous Jennie Finch
Jennie Finch is a former professional softball player. One that so happened to make quite a name for herself for her skills on the field and not for her gorgeous California girl good looks.
Not only did Finch become a collegiate All-American, but she is also a two-time pro-All-Star and a medal-winning Olympian. On top of all that, she is considered one of the best NCAA pitchers of all time. Not too shabby!
Amanda Beard Has Walked More Than One Runway
Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Amanda Beard is no stranger to the limelight. Her success in the competitive swimming circuit earned her the American Swimmer of the Year Award not once but twice!
Aside from being an extremely talented swimmer, Beard has also dabbled in some modeling work. Unsurprisingly, too, considering her flawless skin, bright eyes, and amazing bone structure. Those long swimmer’s legs are probably a fashion designer’s dream to see on their runway!
Nastia Liukin Is Striking
When Nastia Liukin flipped onto the balance bean to start a routine, you best believe every eye in the gym was on her. And it wasn’t just because of her startling good looks.
As an artistic gymnast, Liukin won gold at the 2008 Bejing games for the all-around event, nine medals at Worlds, and eight medals at both the Pan American Games and Pacific Rim Championships. After an extremely successful career, Liukin retired in 2012.
Trish Stratus Has Modeled For Numerous Magazines
To put it in simple terms, Trish Stratus is the ultimate athlete. This wonder woman is a fitness master, professional wrestler, and fitness model. On top of all that, she is also considered one of the world’s greatest women’s performers and one of the most popular WWE stars.
With all that fame, Stratus has graced the covers of more than one magazine. She was even inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 for her contributions to the sport.
Alana Blanchard Is Sunkissed To Perfection
Professional surfer and model Alana Blanchard stepped on her first surfboard when she was only four years old. From there, she rocked the surf world, entering her first competition at the age of nine.
Blanchard has won multiple championships throughout her career, including The Women’s Pipeline Championships in Hawaii, The Rip Curl Girls Festival Junior Pro in Spain, and The Billabong Pro Pre Trials in Hookipa in Maui. Being in the ocean and sun all the time, no doubt contributes to Blanchard’s stunning looks!
Maria Sharapova Was A No. 1 Singles Player And Is A No. 1 Beauty
Considering all of the gorgeous tennis players on this list, it’s safe to say there is something in the water or Gatorade. Yet another gorgeous former professional tennis player is Maria Sharapova, aka a five-time number one singles player.
But Sharapova is more than her tennis stats. This Russian beauty is also dedicated to her charity, The Maria Sharapova Foundation. And, in 2017, she published an autobiography titled Unstoppable: My Life So Far.
Ronda Rousey Made The Hall Of Fame Prettier
You don’t want to get on the wrong side of Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey. This lady is a fighter, having gone professional in both WWE and mixed martial arts. She even won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games in Bejing for Judo.
After bringing her A-game to the ring for many years, Rousey decided to retire from the world of kicking butt in 2017. The following year, she was then inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Serena Williams Brings Beauty And Grace To The Tennis Court
Serena Williams stole the hearts of many when she entered the professional tennis ring in 1995. It didn’t take long for her to start winning titles, having 23 Grand Slams to her name as of 2020.
She’s been named the number one player in singles multiple times during her career. The sixth time of which she held the position for a record of 186 consecutive weeks! By the looks of it, she has no plans of slowing down!
Simone Biles Is Way More Than Just A Pretty Face
Considered by many as the greatest gymnast of all time, Simone Biles definitely deserves to wear her smile as big as she does for pictures. As of 2020, Biles is the third most decorated gymnast in the world and the most decorated in the United States, with thirty total World Championship and Olympic medals.
With stats like that, it’s no wonder Nike swooped her up for a sponsorship deal! Obviously, Biles’ beauty is just the icing on top of a gold medal-sculpted cake.
Courtney Force Is A Force To Be Reckoned With
Courtney Force had to work hard to make a name for herself in the “man’s sport” of drag racing. As the daughter of 16-time NHRA World Funny Car Champion John Force, it wasn’t too difficult. She had a great mentor!
After winning the 100th NHRA tours for female drivers, Force announced her retirement from competitive driving in 2019. As of 2020, she and her husband are expecting their first child. We imagine they’ll grow up to be as beautiful and amazing as their mother!
Kerri Walsh Game Isn’t The Only Thing That’s Beautiful
Tall, strong, and beautiful. If anyone could drop being a professional volleyball player to take up modeling, it would be Kerri Walsh. But if she did that before the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games, Walsh wouldn’t have brought home three gold medals and a final bronze medal to US soil.
This stud was even pregnant when she won gold in 2012! Clearly, she was never meant to spend all of her time in front of a camera but in the sand spiking balls at the competition.
Skylar Diggins Brings Some Beauty Onto The Court
Ranked first in points and steals after her time playing point guard for Notre Dame, Skylar Diggins went on to be the third overall pick at the 2013 WNBA draft, going to play for the Tulsa Shock (now the Dallas Wings).
Diggin’s quickly became known for her extraordinary talent, both on and off the court. She is a huge advocate for childhood obesity and hosts “Shoot 4 The Sky” basketball camps around the world. She’s definitely more than just a pretty face!
Hilary Knight Plays Hockey #LikeAGirl
Hilary Knight is definitely more than just a model-pretty face; she is a fierce contender on the ice. As an ice hockey forward, Knight has won seven IIHF World Women’s Championships with the United States National Team, the Isobel Cup with the Boston Pride, and the national championship with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Aside from speeding down the ice, Knight is highly involved in the #LikeAGirl campaign, making her a fantastic role model for girls everywhere!
Torah Bright Is Beautiful And Super Skilled
Snowboarder Torah Bright is more than golden locks and a big smile; she is Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian to date, with a gold and silver medal to her name. Adding to her collection are multiple X Games medals, including two gold, two silver, and one bronze—all for the superpipe event.
Of course, the golden locks and big smile haven’t gone unnoticed when Knight graces the podium. The athlete has a live-time sponsorship with Rhythm Snowsports as well as Roxy.
Eugenie Bouchard Is A Beautiful Powerhouse
Yet another beautiful professional tennis player who could have solely been a mode is Eugenie Bouchard. As the first Canadian-born and represented player to reach the finals of a Grand Slam tournament, it’s safe to say this powerhouse player is in no hurry to slow down her standings.
While her talent is definitely a plus for endorsement deals, there is no denying Bouchard’s good looks probably helped along the way. She has modeled for high-profile brands such as Nike, Coca Cola, and Babolat.
Gina Carano Is The Face Of Women’s MMA For A Reason
While many most likely recognize the gorgeous Gina Carano from the hit Disney series The Mandalorian, she is much more than bad chick Cara Dune with a blaster. Carano is actually a former mixed martial arts pro and the face of women’s MMA fighting.
After retiring from the ring, Carano didn’t drop out of the entertainment industry. Instead, she hopped into film, appearing in movies like Deadpool, television, and even dabbled in some modeling work.
Laila Ali Isn’t Just Naturally Beautiful, She’s Naturally Talented
Being the daughter of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali gave Laila Ali a bit of an upper hand in her boxing. In 2002, Ali retired with an undefeated record, having an unmatched talent to thank! Well, and maybe her good genes, for good measure.
Not only does Ali have an undeniable presence about her, but she is also beautiful. This former professional boxer has modeled for numerous magazines, including People, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Sports Illustrated.
