New Slugburger Champion in Corinth

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CORINTH, Miss. (WCBI) — A new Slugburger champion was crowned in Corinth this weekend.

The crowd was packed. On stage the Slugburgers along with lots of water were made ready. The contestants one by one made their way to the stage for the annual World Slugburger Eating Championship at the Historic Depot and C.A.R.E. Garden in downtown Corinth. Taylor Coombs was the event coordinator and a contestant.

“A Slugburger is a deep fried soy and meat burger,” she says. “And the reason it’s called a Slugburger is because during the great depression they mixed the meat with the soy to make it go further and they sold them for a nickle which was called a slug,” Coombs notes.

And the Slugburger contest was an officially sanctioned Major League Eating event.

“Under the careful watch of Major League Eating competitive eating has grown to be the fastest growing sport in the world,” says Sam Barclay who emcees the event. “We have footmarks in four continents at the moment. Depending upon the year we produce between sixty five and eighty events a year and it’s growing every year.”

This is the fourth annual Slugburger contest in Corinth and for the first time ever there would be no doubt a new champion crowned.
“Champion Matthew Stoney has decided not be here,” Barclay notes. “There will be a new champion crowned. Will it be Joey Chestnut? This year Chestnut is back. He’s got victory on his mind.”

“Today if my body is working for me I should be able to do well and I feel really good today, Chestnut said before the contest. “The crowd’s awesome. It’s great to get back here,” he said.

Chestnut’s toughest challenger appeared to be Juan Rodriquez.

“Matt Stoney has decided to opt out this year,” he explains. “So it’s shame he has to forego his title but I’d be more than happy to take it off his hands,” Rodriquez hoped.

When the timer gave the word the contest began and for ten minutes the participants stuffed down the Slugburgers with the help of alot of water. Even though he didn’t break the record, Chestnut won, scarfing down 33 Slugburgers.

“It feels great,” Chestnut said after his win. “The crowd was awesome. I was slow I didn’t get near the record but I’ll be back next year definitely and I’ll defend the title no matter who comes and I’ll work to defend it.”