PUEBLO — A new world record and a new champion at the second annual "World Slopper Eating Championship."
The contest brought 7 of the world's greatest competitive eaters, including top-ranked Joey Chestnut, to compete at the PB&T Bank Pavilion at the Colorado State Fairgrounds.
In 8 minutes, competitors shoved as many sloppers as possible in their mouths. Sloppers are open-faced cheeseburgers smothered with green Pueblo Chile, cheese, and onions. Water and sports drinks were provided to help competitors wash it down.
With 37 1/2 sloppers, Massachusetts native Geoffrey Esper took first place, winning the $2,000 grand prize. Chestnut came in second with 32 sloppers.
"I saw Joey do really good on the Fourth of July so I was just hoping to keep up with him," said Esper. "I couldn't see where he was, he was too far away so I just kept thinking I was behind."
While Chestnut was disappointed he came in second, he says the best man won the competition. He says he wasn't as fast as Esper.
"Every once in a while when I eat ground beef quickly, it tickles my throat a little bit and I have to drink more water to get it down. My jaws were a little bit weak since I was chewing a little more," said Chestnut.
The general manager of the Colorado State Fair says it was awesome to have two people pass the world record at one time.
