Cancer treatment hormones cause Kiwi boy to grow size-20 feet

  • 09/02/2018

An 18-year-old Kiwi boy has bigger feet than most international sporting stars - but they are so big, he can't find shoes to fit. 

Ricco Vanbeek beat brain cancer and, due to growth hormones his doctors prescribed him, he has continued to grow. 

He has size-20 feet and needs rugby boots, so he can fulfilll his dream to play footy. 

Ricco is already 1.9m tall, and his feet are slightly smaller then that of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal with a size-22 foot and slightly bigger than Kiwi basketball star Steven Adams at size 19.

He says "it's extremely hard" to find a shoe that fits.

"Well, I've searched everywhere and so far, there have been no results," he says. Specially made shoes could cost between $5000-10,000. 

Ricco has been taking the growth hormone for almost a year and he has surpassed his doctor's growth expectations. 

To get out on the footy field would be a dream come true.

"It would just give me freedom, and the extra motivation to get out there and get into fitness."

Watch the video to see the full The Project interview.