World Athletics: The major 'upsets' in Moscow

Upsets are synonymous with every major international sporting event. The just-concluded 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships was no different.

While the big ticket events went on expected lines, there were quite a few where results did not quite match expectations.

Bikash Mohapatra takes a look at the top 10 'upsets' in Moscow.

Svetlana Shkolina (women's high jump)

Anna Chicherova was the reigning World and Olympic champion.

Svetlana Shkolina's bronze medal finish in London was hitherto her best result.

In Moscow, the young Russian upset her more experienced compatriot.

The height she cleared (2.03 metres) for the gold was a personal best. So was the result.

To make matters worse for Chicherova, American Brigetta Barrett pipped her to the silver.

Yelena Isinbayeva (women's pole vault)

If we go by Yelena Isinbayeva's credentials, her win in Moscow is anything but an upset.

However, technically it is.

For the person the veteran Russian bested, American Jenn Suhr, was the reigning Olympic champion.

Add to it the fact that Isinbayeva hadn't won anything substantial since her triumph at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

However, a season-best effort (4.89 metres) ensured the 31-year-old her third World title.

Teddy Tamgho (men's triple jump)

Two Americans were favourites going into the triple jump final.

Christian Taylor was the gold medallist at the London Olympics besides being the defending champion, having won the event in Daegu (2011).

Will Claye was a silver medallist in London.

Teddy Tamgho won the World Indoor Championships in Doha (2010) but did little else to underline his credentials.

However, on the day the Frenchman jumped 18.04 metres to ensure his country its only gold.

The 24-year-old became only the third athlete ever to get past the 18-metre mark.

Only American Kenny Harrison (18.09) and Briton Jonathan Edwards, with his 1995 world record of 18.29 and 18.16 from the same Gothenburg World championships, have jumped longer.

For the record, Claye won the bronze and Taylor finished fourth.

Eunice Sum (women's 800 metres)

Mariya Savinova, the home favourite, was the Olympic and defending World champion.

And it was the 28-year-old who took the early lead. Eunice Sum albeit timed her late burst to perfection to cause a major upset.

The Kenyan's time of one minute 57.38 seconds was a personal best.

Christina Obergfoell (women's javelin)

The German is the women's equivalent of Robert Heffernan in these games.

At 31, Obergfoell had no major wins to her credit.

However, a season's best throw of 69.05 metres ensured her a biggest career win.

Home favourite and defending champion Maria Abakumova could only manage 65.09m and had to settle for bronze.