Meatball eating contest ends in controversy.

For long-time readers of my blog, you will know that I follow IFOCE competitions. I recently found out that Sonya Thomas was cheated from first place at Carmines Meatball Eating Contest this month. Okay, perhaps I use "cheated" with a bias, since Sonya Thomas is my favorite IFOCE eater.

Bob Shoudt was the official winner of the event, eating 9.97 pounds of meatballs in 12 minutes. Sonya Thomas was very close, but scored a total of 9.91 pounds of meatballs in 12 minutes... but this value is only after a 1 ounce deduction for excess uneaten debris. Sonya Thomas had won the event in 2005. In her controversial defeat, Sonya left the stage and refused to shake hands with Bob Shoudt, who is a relatively unknown to me. Prize money for this event is $5000.

I have to say that the results of this contest was surprising. I'm not sure what to make of Sonya's behaviour, because other contestants were also unhappy with the results. I don't know if it's an issue of bad sportsmanship or incompetent running of the event by officials.