In the world of sports, the thrill lies in the unpredictability. The ‘underdog story’ has become a cornerstone of why we love these games. It’s when the impossible becomes possible. Here’s a look at ten of the greatest upsets in sports history that had us all on the edge of our seats.
Miracle on Ice (1980)
In the midst of the Cold War, a group of amateur and collegiate American hockey players defeated the Soviet Union, the four-time defending gold medalist, in the Winter Olympics. This event is famously remembered as the “Miracle on Ice”.
Buster Douglas KOs Mike Tyson (1990)
Douglas was a 42-to-1 underdog when he stepped into the ring against the undefeated heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson. Douglas managed to knock Tyson out in the 10th round, shocking the world.
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Greece Wins Euro (2004)
Ranked 150-1 outsiders at the start of the tournament, the Greeks shocked the football world by going all the way and winning the Euro 2004 Championship.
Leicester City Wins Premier League (2016)
Leicester City defied the 5000-1 odds to win the 2015-16 Premier League title. It was one of the greatest fairy tale stories in the history of football.
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New York Jets Win Super Bowl III (1969)
The Baltimore Colts were 18-point favorites going into Super Bowl III, but Joe Namath famously guaranteed a Jets win. Namath made good on his guarantee as the Jets pulled off a 16-7 victory.
New York Giants vs. Undefeated Patriots (2008)
The New England Patriots were one win away from a perfect 19-0 season, but the Giants, a wild card team, shocked them with a 17-14 Super Bowl victory.
NC State Defeats Houston (1983)
Houston’s “Phi Slama Jama” was heavily favored to win the NCAA championship. NC State coach Jim Valvano led his team to an unlikely victory, culminating in a buzzer-beating dunk.
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Rulon Gardner Defeats Aleksandr Karelin (2000)
Aleksandr Karelin, the three-time Olympic gold medalist, had not lost in international competition for 13 years. However, American Rulon Gardner defeated him in the Sydney Olympics for the Greco-Roman wrestling gold.
Man O’ War Loses to Upset (1919)
In horse racing history, Man O’ War’s only loss came to a horse fittingly named “Upset”.
Roberta Vinci Defeats Serena Williams (2015)
In one of tennis’ greatest upsets, Roberta Vinci ended Serena Williams’ hopes of a calendar-year Grand Slam at the US Open.
These moments serve as a testament to the fact that in sports, anything can happen. It’s these upsets that make sports the unpredictable and exciting spectacle we love so much.
NEXT: 10 Unforgettable Moments In Olympic History That Still Give Us Goosebumps