Major League Eating is a proud supporter of Feeding AmericaDonate Now

Tropicana World Meatball Eating Championship

Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Date: 12-03-2005
Winner: Sonya Thomas

All eyes were on the Tropicana in Atlantic City, NJ, on Dec. 3, when the nation’s finest gurgitators clashed at the second annual Tropicana World Meatball Eating Championship. The contest was held in The Quarter, just outside of Carmine’s Restaurant.

Cementing her spot at the top of the American meatscape, Sonya Thomas consumed 10 lbs., 3 oz. of Carmine's meatballs in 12 minutes to win.

This is her second straight win at the annual event and with it she secured the first place prize of $2,500. In second place was San Jose's Joey Chestnut with 8 lbs., 3 oz., and the fast-rising vegetarian Bob Shoudt took third by eating 7 lbs., 6 oz. of meatballs in the 12 minute contest.

This year, many of the gurgitators took to mashing their meatballs rather than eating them whole or "apple style," as the eaters call it. According to the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy, however, Meatballs can not be created nor destroyed.

© 2024, Major League Eating · International Federation of Competitive Eating, Inc.
560 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor · New York, NY 10036