Saturday, June 24, 2006

The Competitive Eating Circuit

Until this morning, I'd never heard of "the competitive eating circuit." Now I've read about it twice, first on Andy Jaysnovitch's blog, and now in the article below. Coincidence? Or is someone trying to tell me something?

ABC News: Man Gobbles Down 22 Hot Dogs in 12 Minutes: "CRANBURY, N.J. Jun 23, 2006 (AP)— With sweat pouring down his face, a 42-year-old courier from Moonachie methodically gobbled 22 hot dogs in 12 minutes Friday to win a regional hot-eating competition and a slot at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July eating contest in Coney Island, N.Y.

Pat Philbin, known in the competitive eating circuit as 'Pat from Moonachie,' beat 12 veterans and newcomers to competitive eating to be crowned the New Jersey Turnpike Regional Hot-Dog Eating Champion at a highway rest area."

6 comments:

Brent McKee said...

The trouble with the American competitive eaters is that they tend to be overweight and out of shape. That explains why they keep getting their butts handed to them by the Japanese at the Nathan's World Hot Dog Eating Championships at Coney Island on July 4. Give me a skinny Japanese kid over a 200 pound American any day.

Anonymous said...

What Brent said is generally true, but watch out for 100 pound Sonia Thomas, one of the top competitive eaters around.

That Jersey guy will have to top 50 to get close on July 4, by the way.

Anonymous said...

Whoops, I see Andy mentions the great Ms. Thomas.

Unknown said...

Apparently everybody knows about this great sport except me.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the sport, Bill. It's actually very entertaining in a weird sort of way. I just competed in a shoofly contest on Saturday...my first pro event.

Sonya is one of the best. Others (and not overweight) include Tim "Eater X" Janus, Crazy Legs Conti, and Joey Chestnut (the guy who just ate 50 and will challenge Kobayashi on the 4th). Check 'em out at www.ifoce.com.

Unknown said...

Thanks, MM. I'll put a link in the post.