Mario is definitely not a "big" guy. He's more like the proverbial fireplug; short and stout. The context of the whole Chenjiagou tournament was that Chen taiji was the best taiji and CMC's taiji was shit. This also crossed into the "what is internal" debate. The fact was that Chen style push hands was a style of grappling. The argument was also offered that Mario was "really" a judoka, because he had experience with that discipline. There are videos of the tournament on YouTube, and you're able to make your own decision.
Fwiw, I've known Mario since the 90s and before the tournament, and he's always noted that he was sick at the time.