Chestnut dethroned as rib eating king in Nevada

[September 04, 2009]  SPARKS, Nev. (AP) -- Top-ranked competitive eater and three-time defending champion Joey Chestnut has been dethroned as the winner of the Best in the West Nugget World Rib Eating Championship in Sparks. Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti of Chicago beat Chestnut on Wednesday by one-tenth of a pound. Bertoletti downed 5.8 pounds in 12 minutes.

Wednesday's contest was the fourth annual and featured 12 competitors.

Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., is ranked No. 1 in the International Federation of Competitive Eating. Bertoletti is rated second.

Bertoletti says he prepared for the contest by not eating since a large meal on Tuesday. He won $2,500 and his name will adorn a trophy featuring three golden pigs.

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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com/

[Associated Press]

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