“Survivor” has been on our television sets for 11 years dating back to the year 2000 when Richard Hatch became the first “Survivor.” Now after 23 seasons, there have been many people that have played the game extremely well. Here is my list of best Survivor players ever:
5. Yul Kwon
He managed to pull off the victory in the Cook Islands season even though there were some very threatening challengers (Ozzy and Parvati). Yul was the mastermind that kept his alliance together even when his tribe mates were jumping ship. He overcame a numbers disadvantage and engineered a player from another tribe to sway things back in their player. He continued to make deals that helped buy him votes at the final tribal council and proved that nice guys do finish first.
4. Ozzy
When it comes down to competing in challenges, there is nobody better than Oscar Lusth. Ozzy first burst on the “Survivor” scene in Cook Islands where he was a physical phenomenon. As he continued his athletic display on the Micronesia and South Pacific seasons, he was an extremely valuable team member whether it be catching fish or dominating challenges. Once the merge took place he quickly became one of the biggest targets just because of how much of a favorite he’d be at the final vote. This was evident in the last season where he became the first player ever to be voted out 3 times in one season. Ozzy lacked a strategic game and it has played a big part in his inability to ever become the sole survivor.
3. Parvati
Parvati Shallow has been a force in all 3 “Survivor” seasons she’s played. In the Cook Islands season things were going well until late in the game where her sly ways raised enough of a flag to send her packing. She affirmed such trickery in the Micronesia seasons when she put together 4 blindsides as she established herself as the leader of the “Black Widow Brigade Alliance”. This played a big part in helping her win “Survivor” against her good friend and another fan favorite, Amanda Kimmel. She was seen as a huge threat the next time she played on Hero’s vs. Villains. Despite being a target, she avoided elimination by winning 3 of the last 5 immunity challenges which landed her in the final vote. Unfortunately, her partnership with Russell Hands caused many to vote against her and he finished as the runner up.
2. Sandra
Sandra Diaz-Twine is the only 2 time winner in the history of the game (Pearl Islands and Hero’s vs. Villains). She is one of the craftiest players to ever walk on the islands. She poses no physical threat so she is able to lure unsuspecting players into keeping her around. She projects a strong sense of loyalty, yet is very good at pitting people against each other. She has a strong personality, but is still able to pull back and play a great social game. It’s hard enough to win the game once, but to emerge victorious a second time against of field of all-star players is simply amazing.
1. Boston Rob
Not many would argue that Rob Mariano is the undisputed title holder of “Best ‘Survivor’ Player Ever”. Although he didn’t actually win until his fourth attempt on the show in 2011, he orchestrated one of the best strategic games when he helped his eventual wife, Amber Birch, win a million dollars in 2005. Mariano put on clinic of “Survivor” majesty when he did everything right and came out on top in “Survivor: Redemption Island.” He is the complete player. He is extremely clever pulling off some well thought out tricks (sending Matt back to Redemption) while manipulating people into thinking he has their best interests in mind. He can find idols, win immunities, and displays a character that appears so brash and honest that you just have to trust him. Big mistake. When you can win “Survivor” with a bunch of tribe mates that already know how dangerous you are, then you’re just ridiculously awesome.