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Shockers that rattled the sporting world

Last Updated 09 July 2014, 19:52 IST

* BOXING

Buster Douglas stuns Mike Tyson, Tokyo 1990

Before the fight, Tyson was unbeaten as a professional and routinely knocked his opponents out in the first round. That all changed 35 seconds into the 10th round when massive underdog Douglas knocked Tyson out for the first time in his career, causing one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. Tyson would never completely recover. 

* RUGBY

Wales: 13 lt to Western Samoa: 16, 1991 World Cup.

Wales, one of the great rugby nations, were expected to smash the Pacific Islanders in their opening World Cup match at their home ground in Cardiff in preparation for bigger tests against Australia and Argentina.

But the Samoans had not read the script. To’o Vaega and Sila Vaifale scored tries as the Pacific Islanders recorded a huge upset and advanced to the knockout stages at the expense of the Welsh. The result sparked one of the great rugby quips: “Thank heavens Wales weren't playing the whole of Samoa.”

* CYCLING

Lance Armstrong backtracks and admits doping

The American was in retirement for a second time having won seven Tour de France titles and successfully dismissing continual accusations he had been doping throughout his career.

But the Texan was forced to endure the most humiliating of comedowns when he admitted in a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey that he had doped, lied and bullied his way to the top.

* TENNIS

Steffi Graf beats Natasha Zvereva in 1988 French Open final

Germany's Graf thrashed Zvereva of the Soviet Union 6-0, 6-0 to defend the women's title in a match that lasted 32 minutes -- the shortest final in the Open era.

It was the first French Open final in which a player had failed to win a game and the first double bagel in a Grand Slam final since Dorothy Lambert Chambers defeated DP Boothby at Wimbledon in 1911.

* ICE HOCKEY

Miracle on Ice, 1980 Olympics

The Soviet Union had won six of the seven previous Olympic gold medals in the sport and were expected to easily roll over a United States team made up of amateur and college players at Lake Placid in New York.

But the plucky Americans, led by coach Herb Brooks, claimed a huge 4-3 upset win and went on to beat Finland to take a shock gold.

*GOLF

Greg Norman tosses away 1996 US Masters

The world number one Australian was all set for a fun-filled final round procession having opened up a six-shot lead over England's Nick Faldo following three brilliant rounds at Augusta National.

But the Great White Shark capitulated in Sunday's final round as his game deserted him. He could only muster a six-over-par 78 to finish six behind a victorious Faldo in a painful finish watched by millions around the world.

Norman never fully recovered from the meltdown and failed to add to his two major championships wins.

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(Published 09 July 2014, 19:52 IST)

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