Archives > Mesquite News > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Shoudt wings it, takes Hooters Wing Eating Competition
By Kenny Green, kgreen@starlocalnews.com
MESQUITE-- The world of competitive eating crowned another victor as Pennsylvania's Bob Shoudt managed to hold of the Erik “The Red” Denmark to claim a spot in the Hooters World Championships in New York City. Shoudt managed to consume 120 wings to Denmark's 117 in the 10 minute time limit.
“I could have eaten for a half hour at the pace we were going,” Shoudt said. “My biggest problem today was getting the meat off the bone. Today I barely ate anything compared to what we usually eat during a competition. I have a good capacity. In fact I have probably one of the better capacities in the world.”
The Hooters World Wing Eating Championship made a stop in Mesquite at the Real.Texas.Festival. on Saturday, April 28. The wing chain is in the middle of a 20 city national tour looking for the best wing eater in the world. Mesquite's festival was chosen as a site due to the close relationship the festival has with the restaurant chain.
“[Thomas] is always a tough competitor. She never gives up even when people are a tray ahead of her,” Shoudt said. “The championship will come down to who can get the meat off of the bone. There are several people that can win the championship if they get in the zone. Today I definitely wasn't in the zone. If I have a day like today at the finals, I lose. I am pretty confident about the championship.”
Shoudt said he plans to visit his local Hooters in the near future fore all-you-can-eat wing night and practice for the contest.
“They probably aren't going to be to happy about it,” Shoudt said. “I am going to tee of on some wings.”
Shoudt said that he began eating competitively as a kid and has been a professional for about 10 years.
“I really started when I was a kid but not professionally. I was winning lots here and there. I never lost before I turned pro,” Shoudt said. “It seemed like I was always more talented than the others. Once I turned pro I realized there was more to it.”
He said he began his professional career after seeing the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Compeition on television.
“I entered a qualifier. I never advanced to the finals. Then I entering the other contests. One contest leads to another one. I realized the other eaters were gaining a lot of experience. Once I started that I began to have success,” Shoudt said.
Although Shoudt holds several world records, he said his fondest and most memorable win occurred near his home.
“My entire family was there. It was the first time I thought to use someone from the audience to signal me what was going on with my competitors. My wife was giving me code for what was going on. We had worked it out beforehand,” Shoudt said.
Shoudt said the toughest two competitors he has faced in the world of eating are Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.
“I don't face Kobayashi anymore but I do face Joey. He has a different speed when he falls behind. It is almost like he gets pissed off and cranks it up a notch,” Shoudt said. “No other eaters besides those to have the ability to change speeds like that.”
“The championship should be fun and anyone of us can win,” Shoudt said. “I mean Erik [Denmark] was right on my tail and he wasn't in the zone.”
Shoudt, who made his first trip to Mesquite for the contest, said he was impressed with the Real.Texas.Festival.
“This is the first time I have been in Mesquite. I have been to Dallas before. I love this area,” Shoudt said.
He added that one of the reasons he loves the Dallas area is that the Panini Card Company is headquartered here.
“I hope to get to tour the headquarter one day. I would be in heaven if I could ever get on a Panini card. Those guys don't know who I am yet but one day they will,” Shoudt said.
For information on Major League Eating, visit www.ifoce.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
