Sonya Repeats at Carmines at the Tropicana

Cementing her spot at the top of the American meatscape, Sonya Thomas consumed 10 lbs., 3 oz. of Carmine's meatballs to win the Tropicana Meatball Eating Championship today in Atlantic City.

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.

Badlands Booker delivered a pre-game rap performance of three tracks from his new CD 'Ingestion Engine.' He was received warmly by the crowd at the Tropicana. David Ryan, an audience member from Philadelphia, said he felt Booker's style was reminiscent of a young Q Tip from Tribe Called Quest. "Badlands is way off the hook," said Ryan.

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.