23-04-2025
Joey Chestnut returning to Knoxville to defend bologna eating title
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — World champion competitive eater Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut is returning to Knoxville to defend his title as the Bologna Eating Champion of the World in Knoxville next month.
At noon on Saturday, May 10, some of the world's top competitive eaters will be facing off in Knoxville at the 2025 Ultimate Bologna Showdown presented by Dead End BBQ and Elm Hill Bologna. It's a competition where Major League Eating says things can get 'seriously meaty.'
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The contest is slated to take place at the RecSports Field Complex on Sutherland in Knoxville, and there will be a combined $10,000 in prizes and the title of the Bologna Eating Champion of the World on the line. First place will take home $5,000, followed by second earning $2,750, and stair-stepping down to fifth, which will take home $300.
Last year's contest was the first Ultimate Bologna Showdown. During the competition, competitors have eight minutes to eat as many slices of Elm Hill Bologna as possible.
During the May 18, 2024 competition, Chestnut, the #1-ranked competitive eater in the world from Indianapolis, Indiana, took home the title and set a world record by eating 14 pounds of Elm Hill Bologna. He defeated #4-ranked eater James Webb from Sydney Australia who ate 11 pounds for second, and Geoffery Esper who at 10.75 pounds for third.
At this year's competition, Chestnut will be facing Webb along with #2-ranked Patrick Bertoletti from Chicago, Illinois as well as #5-ranked Miki Sudo and #6-ranked eater Nick Wehry from Tampa, Florida. Last year, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs competed in the event, but this year, he is expected to be a special guest.
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'This is the greatest field of talent ever assembled in the history of competitive bologna eating,' said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. 'The people of Knoxville will see history made as Chestnut defends his title against accomplished challengers.'
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