When the biggest stars descend on the earth, some also fall a notch or two below the rest. Something similar transpired at the recently concluded Rio Olympics 2016 where some of the greatest athletes of our generation shockingly found themselves second to some unfancied opponents.
Not that it took anything away from their glorious careers, but it gave all those who wait for an underdog to topple a big name something to cheer about. Unlike Usain Bolt, who managed to remain the undisputed king of track and field events by winning three medals in three, some slipped off the perch to give us new heroes to sing paeans about.
Here are some of the biggest upsets that saw jaws drop in the 2016 Olympics in the Brazilian capital of Rio
1) Hoang Xuan Vinh, Gold in 10m air Pistol
The 41-year-old from Vietnam was participating in the Olympics only the second time and was up against some of the biggest names in the world of shooting. One name among them is sure to induce fear in any opponent – Jin Jong-oh. South Korea’s Jin is easily the most successful shooter in Olympics who has won three Olympic gold medals.
Jin came into this Olympics as the defending champion in the 10m air pistol and with the kind of form he was in, he was the favorite to perform an encore at Rio. But the Korean ran into a 41-year-old Vietnamese Hoang Xuan Vinh and his dream of shooting another medal in 10m air pistol went up in smoke. Jin was distraught and had his head in his hands walking off after failing to replicate his heroics at London 2012
Hoang Xuan Vinh not only overcame Jin but also Brazilian Felipe Almeida Wu whom he defeated by just a 0.3 margin to bring home the country’s first Gold in over 60 years. The Korean Jin, however, got the better of him in 50m air pistol, albeit by the slightest of margins to win Gold while the Vietnamese finished with Silver.
2) Chen Long, Gold in Men’s Badminton
The floor is open to debate whether it is justified to label Long’s Gold an upset victory for he was always in contention of a medal after winning a Bronze in 2012 Olympics, and after the Finals win, Long has the same number of wins over Lee that Lee has against him. However, when you look at the other side of the story, where ‘the Eagle’ Lee Chong Wei for once had been able to vanquish his long-time nemesis Lin Dan, you’d say it was a chance missed by the Malaysian more than a win achieved by the Chinese.
Having been the second best to China’s Lin Dan for last two Olympics, everyone sensed a chance of Chong Wei finally cornering some golden glory for himself when he overcame Lin Dan in the semis.
But he ran into Dan’s country mate Chen Long and despite a superlative show, lost in straight sets to settle for a silver once again. With the Malaysian having already hinted at Rio being his last shot at an Olympic Gold before the Games started, we have reasons to believe that his quest sadly remains unfinished.
3) Joseph Schooling, Gold in 100m butterfly
No defeat can take anything away from Michael Phelps’ greatness. Not possibly even the last one of his career. However, to beat Michael Phelps will add some bit of greatness to anyone’s story. And when you beat Phelps’ for your country’s first medal, you’re ensured of a special place in your country’s sporting history forever. 21-year-old Joseph Schooling of Singapore did just that in his first appearance on the Olympics stage.
The boy who grew up idolizing Phelps and has an 8-year-old photo with him too to prove that came first in the event by the narrowest of margins to ensure the most decorated Olympian had to settle for a silver in his last Olympic event. Schooling completely acknowledged the role of his idol on his journey to the Rio Gold.
“If it wasn’t for Michael, I don’t think I could have gotten to this point. I wanted to be like him as a kid,” Schooling said. “I think a lot of this is because of Michael. He is the reason why I wanted to be a better swimmer.”
4) Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova win against Williams sisters
Before their match against Safarova and Strycova of Czech Republic, the Williams sisters had a 100% record in the Olympics. They had played 15 games together and had never seen the face of defeat which meant they had three Olympic Gold medals already in their kitty. In their first match at Rio, the sisters were up against a pair who had not won anything before together.
But history changed for both the pairs at Rio as the tennis giants were served a defeat in straight sets. The two Czech women were not even supposed to play together and were paired only when Karolina Pliskova withdrew from the tournament at the last moment.
After bringing the top ranked pair down to earth, the unseeded Czech pair shook up quite a few names on their way to the semis and eventually earned a surprise Bronze. However, the win over the Williams sisters in the first round would probably sit a place higher than their Bronze achievement.
5) PV Sindhu’s quarter-final win over No. 2 ranked Wang Yihan
India’s medal hopes had gone for a toss after Saina Nehwal’s shock exit early on in the tournament. PV Sindhu, however, looked to be on a mission to make amends as she strung together three handsome victories to make it to the quarters. On her way to the Quarters finals, she had overcome a higher ranked Tai Tzu-ying but in 2nd ranked Chinese Wang Yihan she was to face the toughest competition.
Wang Yihan, apart from being a former no. 1, was also the Silver medalist in London Olympics 2012 and was expected to advance to the semis in 2016 as well.
But in the 54 minutes of breathtaking badminton that the two dished out, it was Sindhu who brought her A-game to the fore and dominated the proceedings to win the contest in two straight but hard fought sets 22-20, 21-19. She then went on to meet Nozomi Okuhara, another player ranked higher than her, and demolished her to set up a title clash with Spain’s Carolina Marin who finally brought Sindhu’s juggernaut to a halt.
