Ranking a list of the top five most inspiring sports wins of all time is no easy task, as there have been so many throughout history. Regardless we have given it our best shot in the article below!
From what seemingly impossible victories to displays of outstanding professionalism, and true underdog stories to dominant successes, the most memorable sporting moments of all time have had it all.
Covering a variety of sports across the world, these sporting moments all have something in common: they were unpredictable and unforgettable.
This article will list what we believe to be the top five most inspiring sports wins of all time.
5. Michael Jordan’s “The Shot” in 1989 – perhaps the most legendary shot in basketball history
In 1989, Chicago Bulls played Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs. During a pivotal moment in the game, basketball legend Michael Jordan pulled off a mesmerising three-pointer to secure a 101-100 victory for Chicago.
What made this shot one of the most legendary in basketball history was not simply the skill it took to take the shot, but the circumstances under which it was made. When MJ got the ball, there were only three seconds left on the clock, with Chicago trailing narrowly behind the Cavaliers.
The shot changed everything, and Chicago won the playoffs within the last three seconds of the game.
4. Liverpool win the Champions League in 2005 – a miraculous comeback
It’s hard to think of any other Champions League final with as much drama as the 2005 tie in Istanbul between English side Liverpool and Italian side AC Milan.
At half-time, Liverpool found themselves down three-nil, and their dreams of European glory seemed all but gone. It was reported that the AC Milan players had already taken to singing victoriously in the dressing room at half-time.
However, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard had other plans and was determined not to give up without a fight.
Emboldened by Gerrard’s inspiring form, the Liverpool team scored three goals in six minutes to level the match. They finally went on to win the match in a dramatic, nail-biting penalty shootout.
It is undoubtedly one of soccer’s most remarkable and memorable comeback stories.
3. Rocky Marciano’s 49 wins – the only heavyweight champion to have never been beaten
With this entry, we’re technically cheating a little as we aren’t reflecting on one particular sports win, but 49 wins.
Regarded by many as the best heavyweight boxing champion to have ever entered a ring, Rocky Marciano also possesses the rare honour of being the only heavyweight champion to have never been beaten.
With 49 wins out of 49, Rocky Marciano won every fight in his career and defended his title six times. Moreover, 43 of these victories were by knockout.
The ‘Brockton Blockbuster’ bowed out after his 49th win and his career entered the hall of fame.
2. Roger Bannister breaks the four-minute mile in 1954 – a historic moment
No milestone in middle-distance running history has been more impressive and revered since Roger Bannister successfully broke the four-minute mile mark in 1954.
Despite only being able to train for just 45 minutes a day due to being a full-time medical student, Bannister successfully made history on 6 May 1954. Bannister ran the mile in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds – a record that stood for 45 years.
1. Jesse Owens wins four golds at the 1936 Olympics – proving the views of the Nazis wrong
In first place on our list of what we believe to be the top five most inspiring sports wins of all time is when Jesse Owens won his four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
The 1936 Games were held in Germany at the height of Nazism. As such, the Nazis carefully choreographed the event to support their ideology of an Aryan race.
Their faces must have proven to be quite a sight when African American Jesse Owens beat all before him to win four titles: the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay.
As an African American, Jesse Owens proved how flawed the Nazi’s Aryan ideology was. This inspiring victory was an embarrassment for Hitler on the global stage.
That concludes our article on what we believe to be the top five most inspiring sports wins of all time. Are there any other great sports wins throughout history that you think deserve a place on our list?
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