Angelo Cataldi: Wing Bowl 18 to have pros
Angelo Cataldi has updated his website with information about Wing Bowl 17 which announces his intention to reopen the contest to professionals in 2010. Any previous participation in a professional eating contest will make a contestant ineligible for the upcoming Wing Bowl.
The biggest change is that, for one year only, we are declaring ineligible any contestant who has ever competed in a professionally sanctioned eating contest. This means all members of the Major League Eating organization (formerly IFOCE) are not welcome to participate, including our reigning two-time champion, Joey Chestnut. All of the other great pro eaters of the past – Sonya Thomas, Patrick Bertoletti, Don “Moses” Lerman, and even five-time champ El Wingador – are out for Wing Bowl 17.
We made this decision for one reason: We want to find the absolute best new eater in the Delaware Valley, and we believe opening it up to the Average Joes out there will attract some contestants who have never before tried competitive eating. Next year, our Wing Bowl 17 champion will have to defend his title against the best eaters in the world.
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Rhonda Evans said
December 2, 2008 @ 8:47 am
Actually, I think they’re hoping that some of the top pros — the past winners, other than their boy wonder El Wingador — will retire by January 2010.
Bartholomew Pratt said
December 2, 2008 @ 9:05 am
I think that all of the above names should be given a bye into WB18.
anonymous said
December 2, 2008 @ 9:34 am
since when was don lerman ever considered a great pro eater? Who did he ever beat that was top notch caliber?
anonymous said
December 2, 2008 @ 9:40 am
angelo you can take your stinkin circus act and shove it up your ass. Most of you hypocrites praised this farce only because you competed in it. , Now you know what it feels like to be shut out. Do you still feel the same about it now? I don’t think so.
Anonymous said
December 2, 2008 @ 10:47 am
What a dope Angelo is. Isn’t Joey the reigning 3 time champion? They want to find the best new eater in the area, that is bullshit. The amateur Gentleman Jerry, who made the final 5 the past 2 years, will most likely win and prove Angelo’s stupid theory wrong. Perhaps they should have gone to the virgin wing bowl theme again.
GC said (Registered May 15, 2008)
December 2, 2008 @ 11:03 am
Would his wording, “we are declaring ineligible any contestant who has ever competed in a professionally sanctioned eating contest.”, also eliminate anyone (non-IFOCE) who has previously competed in the last few Wing Bowls, since IFOCE was co-sponsoring the event?
Anonymous said
December 2, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Very good point GC
Bartholomew Pratt said
December 2, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
anon 934 for your information Don Lerman was a 2nd and 3rd place finisher in Wingbowls of past years and I believe that he can stand up to anyone in any event
R Kruger said
December 2, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
The wingbowl is a setup every year since it’s existence. They fix it so certain individuals will win no matter what . In 2004 & 5 they teamed up with the Shea’s long before the contest deciding if Jarvis, Sonya or Wingador should be declared the winner. If you want in just for the good time then thats fine. Even if you are a great eater expect to get sandbagged if you are not one of their favorites.
Honze Seligmann said
December 2, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Mr.Kruger, how do you know this to be fact?
Tonto said
December 2, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
Am I the only person that likes this idea?
R. Kruger said
December 3, 2008 @ 9:19 am
Seligmann i know this to be a fact. If you know competitive eating or have been around the sport you can understand. They pick a few favorites every year and the judges are instructed to look out for them. This can also include advancing several eaters to the second round that dont deserve to be there. The judges in wingbowl are instructed to give certain people the benefit of the doubt when tallying up the totals. That is why there is so much bitchin and complaining about injustice at the conclusion of the event. We all know Badlands Booker was well on his way to winning wingbowl in 2005 but Eric Gregg a hasbeen umpire and patsy for angelo and al , put the breaks on that one. A year later Gregg kicked the bucket. Let the man rest in peace but screwing Badlands that way was a real cold move he took to the grave. .Since wingbowl is not a legitimate event, i would have to compare wingbowl to a three card monty dealer. Old school New yorkers remember those guys. They can be beat but it will take an extreme amount of effort to pull it off
anonymous said
December 3, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
In 2006 they were curious to see who Joey Chestnut was . Then the next year they come up with a brainstorm thinking Wingador might beat him. Now that that idea failed they dont need a non philly resident pulling off a threepeat. They dont need Joey Chestnut any longer and they are not too thrilled about giving away another brand new car to the same guy three years straight. Common knowledge will tell you this. They will sell out the arena once again because fans are paying to watch a bunch of fake titted cunts parade around the floor and not to watch a chicken wing contest.
South Philly Willy said
January 15, 2009 @ 12:38 am
Bottom line, Philadelphians don’t want the outsiders competing. We don’t care about your Major League Eating league, we don’t want to be a part of it and we want you all to go back to your Nathan’s contests and whatever else you do. Our event is for Philadelphia, and we like seeing random people win, we don’t care if they are the best in the world or not. It’s a fun event that is way more Mardi Gras than anything else. I don’t care about Sonya Thomas, or Joey Chestnut or whoever. Have your league, leave us be.
arnie said
January 31, 2009 @ 9:38 am
for those of you who have nothing else going on in your life. Quite complaining. Its just a fun day. A fun day for people from PHILADELPHIA.
arnie said
January 31, 2009 @ 9:42 am
hey, if nobody like the way Angelo Cataldi decices to host wing Bowl than start your own contest whever you live. Wing Bowl in Philly is a blast and i would gusee that the pathetic cities where those of you complaining are from do not have the capacity to deliver such a great event. Believe me, those of us from the Philly region will not cry about your lame ass event and will not participate in your lame ass city.
Anonymous said
January 31, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
South Philly Willy you can’t have it that way. The event has outgrown you. Move to another city.
Johnny Ogelthorpe said
January 31, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
Every N.Y. Contest including Nathans should be open only for New Yorkers , the N.Y. sponsors never discriminated against out of towner’s its about time that they start.
anonymous said
February 7, 2010 @ 9:23 am
Looks like the theory is backfiring, wouldn’t you say South Philly Willy? Now Wing Bowl has the same winner two years in a row and looks as if no local can beat him. Time to bring the pros back weather we like it or not.
anonymous said
February 7, 2010 @ 10:07 am
what pros? With the exception of Joey and Pat , the rest of the jokes will take a backseat as usual when the contest is over