Thomas Tops in Taco Eating at Mexican Independence Day Classic

National hot dog and chicken wing champion Cookie Jarvis, world hash-eating champion Eric Booker and world shrimp-eating champion Hungry Charles Hardy were unable to keep up with world egg-eating champion Sonya Thomas at the Zocalo Taco-Eating Championship at Zocalo Restaurant in Grand Central Terminal.

The contest, dubbed the Mexican Independence Day Classic, was part of a day-long series of events to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Event sponsors included Mico Tequilla and Corona Beer, and the event was sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE).

The diminutive Thomas, weighing in at 105 pounds, took the title of World Taco-Eating Champion and $1,000 in purse money by downing 43 soft tacos in 11 minutes. The event offered significant drama, with the top eater entering the arena led by renowned mariachi, Bustamonte.