5 Most Unpredictable Matches in Sports Gambling History
September 4th, 2011The list of surprising sporting achievements is bountiful. It’s oftentimes a subjective set of results that creates a list of the Top 5, but that does not detract in any way from the greatness of the outcome in any way, shape or form. Golf is a game that is often dominated by the big players for a very long time. Tiger Woods is a name few have not heard. This world-class golfer – arguably the best ever in the history of the game has participated in a great many of the most astonishing comebacks ever recorded. One such contest took place back in 2008. It was at the prestigious Torrey Pines Golf Course that Woods drove home the point that he was the numero uno star in the game. Here’s what Tiger managed to achieve in his glittering plays.
Looking Back at Sporting Magic in the Making:
Woods had sustained a severely damaged ACL as well as a double stress fracture of his left tibia. That however didn’t stop him back in 2008. It was against the implacable Rocco Mediate that Tiger was squaring off and he was behind the eight ball for the most part. In the final round, Woods sunk a 12-footer and recorded a birdie to force an 18-hole playoff with Mediate the next day. Many in the sports betting world feared that Mediate would never be able to challenge Woods for the playoff. A 3-stroke deficit wasn’t able to stop Mediate from roaring back into the game. Tiger was forced to birdie the 18th hole to win. But luckily for Tiger, Rocco was unable to make par on the 18th and that gifted Tiger his 14th Major at the time.
Other notable sporting surprises include the following:
American Football: On January the 8th 2011 the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks took to the field. The wild card playoff game between these two teams had football pundits in shock and awe at the final whistle. Saints players RB Reggie Bush described his team’s loss to the Seattle Seahwaks at Qwest Field – 41-36 – as shocking and embarrassing, tough and more. Saints coach Sean Payton admitted to feeling a little disappointed, very disappointed.
Rugby World Cup: It was at the Ellis Park stadium on the 24th June, 1995 that the South African Springboks made it to the finals of the RWC against tournament favourites the All Blacks. The New Zealanders were an imposing, talented and powerful team. Their pack weight was on par with that of the Springboks, but it was the latter who were more determined than ever to win the game and boast SA pride. The end result was an absolute shocker: SA 15 – NZ 12. Joel Stransky scored 3 penalties and 2 dropped goals. On the other side, Mehrtens converted 2 penalties. 65,000 people were in attendance and an entire nation roared when SA won.
Tennis: Everyone loves a comeback kid and who better than Goran Ivanišević to put it all together. Back in 2001, he was virtually retired. But he had just enough fight left in him to muster the strength for another Wimbledon entry. To think that Ivanišević was seeded outside of the top 100 is mind-boggling! He defied the punters and sporting gurus who all wrote him off and he came back to record the most memorable result in modern times. In the semi-final he faced off against local lad Tim Henman. The latter player fought hard, but lacked the firepower to oust the powerful backline player Ivanišević. Henman was soon up 2 sets to 1. But then a rain delay allowed Goran to win the 4th on a tie break and he took the 5th and final set too. In the final of the tournament Ivanišević beat Patrick Rafter in a nail-biting 5 setter!
Mr Universe: Power players are always a big hit in the world of professional bodybuilding. And one name stands head and shoulders above the rest as the king of the bodybuilding ring. His name is Reg Park. Park was crowned Mr Universe NABBA, Overall Winner 3 times in his glittering career. But how’s this for a record – he won it every 7 years:
- 1951 Mr Universe – NABBA, Overall Winner
- 1958 Mr Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
- 1965 Mr Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
