Chestnut's Roasting but not Boasting

Joey Chestnut dethroned as rib eating king
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPARKS, Nevada — Top-ranked competitive eater and three-time defending champion Joey Chestnut has been dethroned as the winner of the Best in the West Nugget World Rib Eating Championship in Sparks.

Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti of Chicago beat Chestnut on Wednesday by one-tenth of a pound (0.05 kilo). Bertoletti downed 5.8 pounds (2.63 kilos) in 12 minutes.

Wednesday’s contest was the fourth annual and featured 12 competitors.

Chestnut, of San Jose, California, is ranked No. 1 in the International Federation of Competitive Eating. Bertoletti is rated second.

Bertoletti says he prepared for the contest by not eating since a large meal on Tuesday. He won $2,500 and his name will adorn a trophy featuring three golden pigs.

I just lost a whole lot of respect for Joey Chestnut. After making America proud by taking Kobayashi to the limit and winning on the 4th of July, now Joey has disappointed us.

What is he doing losing to some fat Italian in a rib eating contest? I could see if it was pizza or ravioli or deli meats, but ribs are an American treat. Now I've got to listen to Boscoe brag all weekend. He'll probably even break out the jogging suit and gold chains. Damn you Joey Chestnut!