13 Times When the Underdog Came Out on Top

Many of us love rooting for the underdog. Really, it’s just so satisfying to watch the little guy pull off a big win! So, let’s check out 13 of the most memorable times the underdog came out on top. These stories are victories that show you what happens when you’re determined to achieve your goals, no matter what the odds are.

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Miracle on Ice

 The interior of the Herb Brooks Arena, formerly known as the Olympic Center until 2005, at Lake Placid, New York, USA
Image Credit: Aaron danielg/Wikimedia Commons.

At the 1980 Olympics, a group of American college kids & amateur hockey players went head-to-head with the Soviet Union’s unbeatable hockey team. They pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping upsets in sports history—they beat the Soviets 4-3. More than just a game, it was a Cold War-era morale booster. Clearly, every underdog will have their day and the universe has a way of keeping us on our toes.

Leicester City Wins the Premier League

 King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, United Kingdom
Image Credit: Arne Müseler/Wikimedia Commons.

If you thought fairy tales were just for books, Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League win proves you wrong. They had pre-season odds of 5000-1. However, game after game, they defied expectations by clinching the title and completely transforming football. In fact, it was a win that reminded everyone why we love sports in the first place.

Truman Defeats Dewey

Photo of Harry Truman
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Politics can be unpredictable, sure. But Harry S. Truman’s win in the 1948 U.S. presidential election was a plot twist of huge proportions. Almost every poll had Thomas E. Dewey as the clear favorite—newspapers even printed headlines declaring Dewey the winner. But Truman actually pulled off one of the greatest political comebacks in American history. Who would’ve thought?!

The Battle of Agincourt

Painting of The Battle of Agincourt
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Back in 1415, the English army was seriously outnumbered by the French at the Battle of Agincourt. However, thanks to some strategic smarts & the lethal effectiveness of the longbow, the English dominated them. Brains can beat brawn—even when the odds are stacked against you.

Susan Boyle’s First Audition on “Britain’s Got Talent”

Pastel artwork of Susan Boyle
Image Credit: Christian Lessenich/Wikimedia Commons.

When Susan Boyle stepped onto the “Britain’s Got Talent” stage, you could almost hear the collective skepticism. Yet she started singing and everyone’s jaws hit the floor. Her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” won hearts worldwide, turning her into an overnight sensation and showing us all that we can’t judge a book by its cover.

The 1983 Cricket World Cup

Men playing cricket outdoors
Image Credit: Pexels.

Before 1983, India was hardly a force to be reckoned with as a cricket competitor as they had won only one match in previous tournaments. But against all odds, they clinched the trophy. They beat the mighty West Indies in a stunning final. Such a victory helped the nation find its feet on the world stage.

Apple’s Resurgence

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Image Credit: Matthew Yohe/Wikimedia Commons.

In the late ’90s, Apple was on the brink of collapse. Enter Steve Jobs. He had a plan to change the company—and he was right on the money with it. A few years later, Apple revolutionized the tech industry with the iMac, iPod, and iPhone, going from nearly bankrupt to tech titan. It’s a comeback story for the ages! With the right vision and leadership, anything’s possible.

The American Revolution

Painting of the Declaration of Independence being signed
Image Credit: John Trumball/Wikimedia Commons.

Honestly, the American Revolution is the perfect underdog story. It involved a bunch of colonies going up against the British Empire and sounded like a lost cause. Yet with a mix of grit, strategy & some timely help from France, the impossible became possible. Freedom is worth fighting for—no matter the odds.

“Slumdog Millionaire” Wins Best Picture

Cast and Director "Slumdog Millionaire" at 81st Annual Academy Awards.
Image Credit: Greg Hernandez/Wikimedia Commons.

“Slumdog Millionaire” was the little film that could as it featured a relatively unknown cast and a modest budget. As such, it faced an uphill battle during awards season. However, then it started winning and didn’t stop until it snagged eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Storytelling is so powerful. You don’t need big bucks to make a big impact as long as you have a message worth saying.

Japan’s Rugby World Cup Victory Over South Africa

2015 Rugby World Cup, France vs. Romania at the Stadium, London
Image Credit: David Roberts/Wikimedia Commons.

During the 2015 World Cup, Japan beat South Africa in a completely shocking moment. Everyone thought South Africa had it in the bag since they already had two World Cup wins. But no! Japan played hard and in those last few moments, they pulled off a try that scored them a 34-32 win.

Greek National Football Team Euro 2004 Victory

Greece national football team
Image Credit: Steindy/Wikimedia Commons.

Talking about surprises, Greece winning Euro 2004 was yet another one. The team played smart and kept their defense tight while also showing some serious teamwork. Eventually, they beat Portugal—even though everyone had counted them out at the start. Every underdog gets their chance to shine and show what they’re made of.

2011 Rugby World Cup

Tonga National Rugby Team
Image Credit: paddynapper/Wikimedia Commons.

Tonga beat France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, even though France was one of the hot favorites. Despite being a small team, Tonga played their hearts out to get a 19-14 win. In doing so, Tonga showed the world they had what it takes and it was a great example of why we root for the underdog.

James “Buster” Douglas Knocks Out Mike Tyson

James "Buster" Douglas portrait
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

When James “Buster” Douglas went up against Mike Tyson, it was supposed to be a quick win—for Tyson. The odds were 42-1 against Douglas! But then out of nowhere, Douglas knocked Tyson out in the 10th round and it became one of those moments where you can’t believe what you just saw. Really, anything can happen in sports.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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