Location: Trenton, NJ
ESPER SMASHES PORK ROLL RECORD!
Let’s call it what it is: Utter dominance. Geoffrey Esper, the world’s #3-ranked eater, turned in the signature performance of his career to date to down 50—yes, 50—four-ounce Case’s Pork Roll sandwiches to win 2018 edition of The Trenton Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship. In doing so, he set a new world record in the discipline, smashing the previous mark by seven Pork Roll sandwiches. Those who witnessed his effort will never forget where they were on this day. It is forever etched in their memory as something perfect, profound and good.
Esper started fast and sped up during the contest, according to MLE Chairman and event host George Shea. That Esper is still improving at the table will not go unnoticed by his foes. They will ask: What is Esper’s ceiling? Will I catch him? Will he, ask the exalted one or two, catch me? And what happens when he works out how to eat hot dogs for real? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves but let us note that we are witnessing something special when it comes to the man they call Esper.
And a special day it was. The sun shone brightly on Trenton, NJ’s own ARM & HAMMER Park on this day. Badlands Booker rocked the mic to great applause. Former Trenton mayor Mr. Jackson oversaw the affairs alongside with Case's Pork Roll president Mr. Dolan. At the table, Joey Chestnut, the former world record-holder in this discipline, struggled to find a rhythm and sync his swallowing. He would not be able to catch Esper on this day; he would finish with 38 for second place. He was, as befits a champion, gracious in defeat. One imagines his total will be considerably larger next year. Rookie Nick Wehry continues to impress. He finished tied for third, alongside Gideon Oji, with 29. Others ate less. Tip of the boater to René Rovtar, who consumed 6.5 Pork Roll sandwiches to her daughter Kristina’s final tally of 4.5 to win the Rovtar Bowl. Mother knows best, Kristina.
Full results below.
FULL RESULTS!
1st - 50 pork roll sandwiches in 10 minutes - Geoffrey Esper
2nd - 38 - Joey Chestnut
Tie for 3rd - 29 - Gideon Oji and Nick Wehry
5th - 22 - Brian Dudzinski
6th - 20 - Badlands Booker
7th - 14.5 - Darrien Thomas
8th - 12 - Crazy Legs Conti
9th - 9.5 - Wild Bill Myers Himself
10th - 7 - Scott Voegele
11th - 6.5 - Rene Rovtar
12th - 4.5 - Kristina Rovtar
This contest took place at 3.30pm Eastern, on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at the home of the Trenton Thunder, ARM & HAMMER Park, 1 Thunder Rd, Trenton, NJ 08611
About The Trenton Thunder! The Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, play in the 12 team Eastern League. The Thunder have drawn over 9.5 million fans to ARM & HAMMER Park over 24 years and have won the three major awards that Minor League Baseball teams can win; the Johnson Trophy for the "Nation's Best Franchise" (2005), the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion (2003) and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (1998, given by Baseball America). The team has given back over $6.5 million worth of goods, services and monetary donations through Trenton Thunder Charities, under the Grand Slam We Care Foundation umbrella. The Thunder can be found online at trentonthunder.com, facebook.com/trentonthunder, twitter.com/trentonthunder and on youtube.com/AATrentonThunder.
CLICK HERE for more information on River Fest!
CLICK HERE for more information on the Trenton Thunder!
Become a Facebook fan of the Trenton Thunder!
Follow the Trenton Thunder on Twitter @TrentonThunder.
Catch the Trenton Thunder on YouTube!
Become a fan of the MLE Facebook Page
For instant results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest.
*All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and fully acknowledge and understand the inherent dangers and risks associated with participating in an eating contest. The applicant further acknowledges and understands that the MLE/IFOCE coordinates with event sponsor(s) to select and approve eligible participants, and that the MLE/IFOCE shall decide, at its sole discretion, whether an applicant is eligible to participate in any eating event, and/or related activities. The MLE/IFOCE may revoke an applicant's eligibility to participate in the eating contest, or related activities, at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. The MLE/IFOCE and the event sponsors reserve the right, at any time, to change any and all details concerning the event, including, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.