Thomas, LeFevre, Booker at Tropicana Meatball Eating Contest

Eric Badlands Booker, Hungry Charles Hardy and Rich LeFevre battled back and forth for first place in the early minutes of the Tropicana World Meatball-Eating Championship in Atlantic City, NJ.

But by minute eight, Sonya Thomas began establishing a lead, which she extended, meatball by meatball, until winning with a total of 5 9/10 pounds of Carmine's meatballs in 12 minutes. Thomas took home $2,500 for her efforts.

LeFevre placed second with 5 pounds 2 ounces even to win $1,250; Eric Booker took third with 5 pounds even to earn $750, and Hardy took fourth with 4 pounds, 10 ounces to win $500.

The event, which will be featured as part of the Tour de Gorge series on INHD, was held in front of Carmine's in The Quarter at the Tropicana, a spectacular new casino and resort.