Chestnut Defends Nugget Rib Crown

Joey “Jaws” Chestnut polishes off 9lb 2.7oz of ribs in 12 minutes; Matt “Megatoad” Stonie finishes second with 8lb 3 oz pounds.

Reno/Sparks, Nevada – Reigning Nugget World Rib Eating Champion Joey Chestnut, the world’s No.1-ranked competitive eater, was in top form in defense of his World Rib Eating title, placing first by nearly a full pound at the 9th Annual Championship during the 26th Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off.

Chestnut, the top ranked competitive eater, consumed a massive 9lb 2.7oz of St. Louis style pork rib meat during the marathon 12 minute contest. The total is Chestnut’s third highest amount of rib meat consumed at the annual event behind world records in 2008 and 2013. Chestnut secured the $2,500 cash grand prize for his eating prowess, scoring his eighth win in nine years of the event.

Second-place finisher and number two-ranked eater, Matt “Megatoad” Stonie consumed an impressive 8lb 3 oz pounds during the competition, more than a pound higher than third place.

In only her second appearance at the Nugget World Rib Eating Championship, Miki Sudo, took down 6lb 7 oz pounds of ribs, placing third. Sudo is ranked #4 among all competitive eaters.

Fourth place went to Erik “The Red” Denmark, who downed 5lb 14.75oz and fifth place went to Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez who ate 5lb 7.2oz of ribs.

The Nugget World Rib Eating Championship is the kick-off event for America’s largest rib cook-off. The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off is a six-day barbecue festival that brings in more than 500,000 people from all over the country to eat more than 233,000 pounds of ribs cooked by 23 of the nation’s most decorated rib cookers. The cook-off continues through Monday, September 1, 2014.