Sport is unpredictable, and that is one of the many reasons we love it. Even the greatest of champions can be defeated by an underdog. These unexpected victories are what make sports so exciting and memorable. From upsets in team sports to individual competitions, there have been many incredible upsets in sports history. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest upsets in sports history.
The Miracle on Ice – 1980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, saw one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The United States men’s ice hockey team, composed of amateur and college players, faced off against the Soviet Union, the reigning Olympic champions and considered to be the greatest hockey team in the world. The Soviets were expected to win easily, but the US team managed to pull off a stunning 4-3 victory in what became known as the “Miracle on Ice.” The win was not just an upset but also a symbolic victory during the height of the Cold War.
Leicester City’s Premier League Win – 2015-16 season
The 2015-16 season of the English Premier League will always be remembered for one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Leicester City, a team that had just avoided relegation the previous season, went on to win the Premier League title against all odds. They were given 5000-1 odds to win the title at the start of the season. Leicester City won the title with two games to spare, beating teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea along the way.
Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson – 1990
Mike Tyson was one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, undefeated and considered invincible. When he faced James “Buster” Douglas in 1990 in Tokyo, Japan, it was expected to be an easy win for Tyson. However, Douglas had other plans. He put up an incredible fight, and in the tenth round, he knocked out Tyson, securing one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
The Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees – 2004 American League Championship Series
The Boston Red Sox were trailing 3-0 in the best-of-seven series against the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series. The Red Sox had not won a World Series since 1918, and their chances of winning against the Yankees seemed slim. However, the Red Sox won four straight games to win the series 4-3, becoming the first team in baseball history to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series.
Rulon Gardner vs. Alexander Karelin – 2000 Olympics
In the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Rulon Gardner, an American wrestler, faced Alexander Karelin, a Russian wrestler who had not lost a match in 13 years and was a three-time Olympic gold medalist. Karelin was considered to be unbeatable, but Gardner had other ideas. He managed to score a point against Karelin and held on to win the match, securing one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history.
The New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts – 1969 Super Bowl III
The New York Jets, a team from the upstart American Football League, were considered heavy underdogs against the Baltimore Colts, the champions of the more established National Football League, in Super Bowl III. The Colts were heavily favored, but the Jets managed to win the game 16-7, giving the AFL its first-ever Super Bowl victory and cementing one of the biggest upsets in sports history.
Greece vs. Portugal – 2004 European Championship Final
The Greek national football team was not expected to make it past the group stage of the 2004 European Championship. However, they managed to make it all the way to the final, where they faced Portugal, the host nation and favorites to win. Greece managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Portugal, becoming the first team to win the European Championship as underdogs.
Joe Namath’s Guarantee – 1969 Super Bowl III
Before Super Bowl III, Joe Namath, the quarterback of the New York Jets, made a bold guarantee that his team would defeat the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. Many thought he was crazy, but Namath and the Jets managed to back up his guarantee with a 16-7 victory, cementing one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history.
Japan vs. South Africa – 2015 Rugby World Cup
Japan, a team that had never won a Rugby World Cup match, faced off against two-time champions South Africa in the 2015 tournament. South Africa was heavily favored, but Japan managed to pull off one of the biggest upsets in rugby history, winning the match 34-32 in one of the most thrilling games of the tournament.
Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis – 1951
Joe Louis was considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, with a record of 66 wins and only three losses. In 1951, he faced Rocky Marciano, a relatively unknown boxer at the time. Marciano managed to knock out Louis in the eighth round, securing one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. In conclusion, upsets are an integral part of sports and often make for the most exciting moments. The unexpected victory of an underdog against a heavily favored opponent can inspire generations and is a reminder that anything is possible in the world of sports. These upsets continue to captivate and inspire sports fans around the world, and we can only hope to see more of them in the future.
