Everyone loves watching underdogs triumph, when the little guy comes out on top against seemingly insurmountable odds. The thrill of unexpected sporting victories is a feeling that evokes undoubted joy – that hug between a coach and a player, or a stadium of strangers united in a burst of emotion. It is a feeling that enlivens the spirit, and re-enforces the belief that anything is possible. In this article, we’ll explore why we love watching underdogs and upsets, and what it is about these extraordinary sporting triumphs that stirs us so powerfully.
1. Magical Moments: Unexpected Sporting Triumphs
Sport is often unpredictable and full of surprises – little moments of sheer excitement that can be hard to forget. Here are some of the most magical, unexpected sporting triumphs.
- The Indian cricket team winning the 1983 World Cup – India, a then-amateur team competing against the world’s professional talent, became World Champions on an iconic day for the sport. Every Indian cricket fan remembers the joy of Kapil Dev lifting the trophy.
- Leicester City winning the Premier League – An underdog team winning a prestigious title, Leicester City became fairytale victors in 2016. After 5000/1 odds, the Foxes brought their city together in celebration for one of football’s most triumphant days.
- London 2012 Olympics – Hosts United Kingdom had one of their finest Olympics, with Team GB ending the Games with an astounding 65 medals. Notable sporting victories in track and field, cycling and rowing brought historic moments to the nation.
The United States’ ‘Miracle on Ice’ in the 1980 Winter Olympics is a moment that will forever be remembered. A largely amateur team of college players beat the then-Untouchable Soviet Union, a giant of the sport, to set off an incredible end to the tournament.
Italian Roberto Baggio’s dramatic penalty miss is also an unbelievable but unforgettable triumph. As one of the most talented players of his generation, his miss gave Brazil’s penalty shootout win over Italy in the 1994 World Cup.
The Nepalese Paragliding World Cup in 2017 is arguably the most unlikely success story in recent times. Despite having limited resources, they took the flying community by surprise by winning the competition. It was a well-deserved victory.
2. Underdogs Reaching New Heights
Unexpected success stories come in a variety of forms. From startups with small beginnings copywriting their way to fame and fortune to individuals with highly improbable dreams chiseling their way to the top of the food chain. Despite the vast differences in these two scenarios, they share a common narrative element: the underdog.
We’ve all heard of and it’s no surprise that some of the most inspiring stories come from right here in our own communities. Consider the tale of a small city-based art gallery showcasing the works of several unknown local artists. With very little financial resources, they managed to capture the hearts of thousands and sell each artwork with a respectable minimum of bidding.
That ability to break the glass ceiling and make something of themselves despite their small beginnings is an incredibly inspiring example. It’s something we should all strive for. The most amazing part about these stories is that – almost always – the journeys to achieving success were paved with hard work and sheer determination.
Here are three characteristics of those underdogs who reach new heights:
- Risk-taking: These individuals take a leap of faith, courageously following their intuition, and challenge traditional methods and societal norms.
- Innovation: They strive to break the mold and think outside the box, creating new solutions to old problems.
- Persistence: Success does not come easily for these brave souls. They must endure countless setbacks and rejections while keeping their motivation and passion alive.
The stories of serves to remind us of what we can achieve if we become the right combination of tenacious and daring. They show that, ultimately, anything is possible.
3. Celebrating the Impossible: Upsets Galore
Nothing is more exciting than watching the impossible become possible. Upsets can bring even the most experienced and hardcore of sports fans to their feet in amazement, creating moments that will never be forgotten.
Everyone has their favourite upset moment, and no two are the same. From David slaying Goliath, to the heavy underdog overcoming the formidable foe, there is something special about when the underdog pulls off the miraculous. Here are some top upsets from across the world of sports over the years:
- USA’s Miracle On Ice – At the 1980 Olympics, the USA found themselves up against the Goliath of the hockey world, the powerhouse of the Soviet Union. Somehow and against all odds, the American team managed to play a perfect game in order to secure the unthinkable: a victory.
- The Rumble in the Jungle – This was perhaps the most important boxing match ever. The undefeated up-and-coming heavyweight talent George Foreman seemed more than a match for the ageing Muhammad Ali. But when the bell rang, Ali managed to take the title, using his “rope-a-dope” technique to confuse and eventually overwhelm Foreman for a legendary KO.
- Leicester City’s Premier League Win – Seemingly destined to fight for survival every season, Leicester City defied all expectations to win the Premiership trophy. Despite being the 5,000-to-1 long shots, they managed to do what nobody thought was possible, claiming their historic title.
In each of these iconic contests, upsets were born from the hard work, determination, and resilience of the underdogs in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. When the impossible happens, and the highly improbable occurs, it is truly an amazing and unforgettable sight to witness.
Upsets can be described in a variety of ways; from amazing to jaw-dropping, outrageous to electrifying, they provide an incredible spectator experience, and create a lasting impression. So even when all logic is against it, always remember: in both sport and in life, never say never.
4. When Dreams Come True: The Thrill of Unexpected Success
It almost never happens, that unexpected successes come true. Preplanned, dreamed, carefully set-out plans do often, but the successes that come unexpected and knocked at one’s door out of nowhere, are rare. Unexpected successes are often a mix of luck, hard work, coincidence, and a dash of serendipity, and when those elements align, something truly remarkable can emerge.
When an unexpected success comes true, it gives a thrill of immense joy. Nobody expected it, nobody knew, and yet, it happened. All of it embodied there, into that one moment, a pinch of pride, a drop of elation, a spoon of satisfaction, all of it there in a persistent mixture. It is a journey, one where no plans have been made, but results were achieved.
Such successes are astonishing, and can be incredibly rewarding because often, they appear when one has given up, or had the least amount of hope. And that’s when something great and wonderful comes all of a sudden, something that marks a reminder that hope never fully disappears.
With unexpected successes in life, one starts believing in hope, that anything is possible and that our dreams can come true. There’s no stepping back when it happens, and it takes one’s breath away. There’s nothing as fulfilling and rewarding as finally achieving something that seemed to be impossible.
Living through this moment builds character and adds perspective to our day to day life. Unforeseen success can be immensely fulfilling in terms of joy, pride, and satisfaction, and it encourages us to persist in our life goals. It can be a truly remarkable and wonderful experience.
Sometimes there’s nothing more exciting than seeing the underdogs triumph. It’s the dreams of unlikely victories that often make sports so enjoyable. Whether it’s a lowly team winning a championship or an underdog trumping the odds to win a match, these stories will live on for years to come as reminders of the beauty of unexpected triumphs. May we all experience the joy of an underdog victory—the ultimate feel-good moment!
