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5 Amazing Sports Comebacks In Recent History

September 27, 2024

We all love an underdog story. The sweet sensation of coming back from below and rising to the pinnacle against all odds is a lesson to most folks, reminding them to never give up, even in the face of tough obstacles. Before we jump into some amazing sports history, here's one way you can pull a comeback if you're a student struggling with your grades – a professional paper writing service.

Sports, in particular, is full of amazing comeback stories, and we're here to share some of the greatest of these stories for your inspiration and motivation. Hopefully, you'll find value in the phrase "your setback is your step up," and you'll be inspired to rise to the top again.

Here are some of the greatest comeback stories of the century.

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1. Boston Celtics Versus the Lakers (2008 NBA Final)

The Celtics managed to pull off the greatest comeback in an NBA finals game since 1971, coming back from 24 down in Game 4 to win on the final buzzer. Leading the Lakers were Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, who pushed the Lakers to an early lead of 35-14 in the first quarter. On the other side, the Celtics were fronted by the trio of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.

In the second half, the Celtics went on a 23-3 run, showing just how much they wanted this title. The game seemed destined to even out at 2-2, but in the fourth quarter, the Celtics completed their dominant comeback, outscoring the Lakers 27-23. The game finished at 97-93 for the Celtics, and they would go on to win the league with six games. This was also their first NBA title in 22 years.

The Celtics showed LA that they wouldn't back down or they would fall trying, and they didn't disappoint.

2. Michael Phelps vs. Milorad Cavic (2008 Olympic Butterly Final)

The 100-meter butterfly final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in particular, was quite a thrilling one. The legendary Michael Phelps was pitted against the rising star Milorad Cavic. That outcome would determine whether Phelps would achieve his historic goal of eight gold medals in a single Olympics.

Cavic was a Serbian swimmer with a fast start and powerful stroke. In this race, he had a clear lead throughout. Phelps seemed to be fading, already exhausted from his grueling schedule, drug testing, and participation in several other events at the same Olympics. In a dramatic comeback worthy of a champion, Phelps managed to overtake Cavic by a mere 0.01 seconds. According to Phelps, he thought he hadn't won, but that comeback was enough to secure him his seventh gold medal.

Phelps' incredible determination, skill, and ability to perform under immense pressure are a testament to his greatness.

3. Lewis Hamilton's 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has described the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix as "the most special race of my career," and with good reason. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion faced a significant challenge in the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix. Hamilton started at the back of the grid due to a penalty but somehow managed to fight his way through the field to secure a win and title contention.

Starting with his disqualification due to a DRS infringement and a Mercedes-manufactured change of his engine, the odds were stacked against Hamilton. In the sprint race, Hamilton managed to battle his way through the field to a fifth-place finish. In the main race, Hamilton started from 10th on the grid, but without losing hope, battled his way to the front with some daring overtakes and closed the gap on the leaders.

Eventually running second place to the leader and bitter rival Max Verstappen, Hamilton showcased his repertoire. In lap 58, he attempted to overtake Verstappen, braking late and diving into the inside corner, pushing him ahead of Verstappen. This move had every viewer holding on to the edge of their seat, and Hamilton held the lead until the checkered flag was up.

Verstappen wasn't one to give up easily, and he pushed Hamilton's wits to the end. However, Hamilton eventually secured the win 0.45 seconds ahead of his rival. Hamilton, who attested to feeling powerless and dejected pre-race, emerged from the ashes into victory, securing his place as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. Starting from the back and emerging top is a true testament to the spirit of comebacks.

4. Tiger Woods' 2019 Masters Win

The Legend himself, Tiger Woods, has been a pale shadow of his former self. With 18 world titles under his belt, there's no doubt of his greatness. For a time, however, it seemed like Tiger had given up on his winning ways.

Tiger's victory at the 2019 Masters was the culmination of a failing sports career, a broken marriage, personal setbacks, injuries, and a general decline in form. At some point, the whole world thought that Tiger's golf career was over.

With numerous false starts since 2016, Woods seemed like he was on the road to another false start. The field included a pool of talented and young contenders such as Brooks Koepka and Jason Day. Woods sank the winning putt on the 18th green, and that moment was epitomized as one of the greatest sports comebacks ever.

Tears streamed down Wood's face, and the entire golfing world was pure emotion as Iron Man reclaimed the throne that was rightfully his.

5. Simone Biles' Return to Gymnastics

Simone Biles officially became her generation's most decorated American gymnast, but not without fighting through several setbacks. The Tokyo Olympics had already made her one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time; however, soon after, Biles had to deal with the twisties, anxiety, depression, and a deep sense of fear.

Beginning in September 2022, Biles resumed her training and slowly worked her way back to the top. She won the all-around meets in 2023, qualifying for the World Championships, where she eventually bagged four gold medals, bringing her tally to 32, including Olympic medals. Biles finished the 2024 Paris Olympics in second place, which wasn't too bad either.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, you, too, have been inspired to dream again – aim for the moon and shoot for the stars, or is it the other way around? These five stories of amazing sports comebacks are a testament to what we can do and achieve if we fail but have the courage to get up again.

Whether you are a student facing insurmountable odds in your academics, a professional who suffered a career setback, or just a regular ol' Joe braving it through life, don't be afraid to dream again. Best of luck and wishes from us!