Flashback 2011 to Cleveland Scene’s profile of Scott Bickel (RIP) which included this section on how he hoped his competitive eating career could reverse the fortunes of his hometown:

The cult of Beefcakes Bickel has sprung forth from a specific time and place: post-LeBron Cleveland, a cityscape in a desperate scramble for self-esteem. The years of losing seasons, national punch lines, the very public breakup with our hero — it’s all taken its toll, shrinking our civic ego to that of a touchy teenager’s, always sucking in that gut and checking the fly.

Is relief on the way? With the city’s pro athletes useless to salve our wounds, a cottage industry has cropped up among the amateur ranks: the search for a championship — any championship whatsoever — for Cleveland. From women’s boxing to ultimate fighting to Harry Potter fandom, newsmaking residents are eager to bring distinction back home. Prime-time glory? Not exactly. This is ESPN3-caliber fame.

Bickel is the latest — perhaps greatest — of them. He decided early on that his mission would not be merely about himself, but about Cleveland. Some would raise championship banners. Bickel will raise hot dogs.

In January 2012, Scott Bickel took his life by jumping off a bridge.

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It has now been over one year since Scott Bickel took his own life on January 11, 2012 by jumping of the State Route 82 Bridge in Sagamore Hills in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. (Bickel’s death was not the only appearance of the bridge in 2012 news; members of “Occupy Cleveland” were arrested in May for attempting to blow it up.) Other 2012 losses in the competitive eating community include:

• Edward Archbold choked to death in October after winning a bug eating contest in Deerfield Beach, FL
• Frank Pastore, Big Texan 72 ounce steak record holder 1987-2008. Passed away in December after a coma following a motorcycle crash in November.
• Dau Fatnassi, Tunisian passed away in December after eating 28 eggs in a 30 egg eating challenge

Samit Aulakh fell into a coma after choking in a Gulab Jamun eating contest in Surrey, BC in November (as far as I know, he is still in that condition.)

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Cleveland.com has an obituary for Scott Bickel announcing that his funeral will talk place Monday morning. More Scott Bickel tributes:

• “Never Give Up” video (via Will Millender)
• “Furious” Pete video log about Scott
• Naader Reda blog entry

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(via emails) Some extremely sad news happened last night. Scott Bickel posted a suicide note on his facebook page last night and he carried through with it by jumping into the Cuyahoga River (link fixed).

• Cleveland Scene article from last year
• Epic Buffet Time video with Tim Rauthscheder
• The White Picket Fence – a book published by Scott.
• Internet reaction to Scott’s passing: Twitter | Tumblr

update 8:22 pm WOIO.com has a news video

update 1:09 pm Cleveland.com now has a article identifying the body.

update 12:45 A memorial facebook group has been started.

update 12:15 NewsNet5 has a new article identifying the body.

update 11:58 Cleveland Scene now confirms that the body found was Bickel’s (via Will Millender)

update 11:53 A cleveland.com blog entry identifies the victim as a 21 year old man from North Royalton, OH, but does not give a name.

update 11:08 am Cleveland Scene has a new blog entry about Scott Bickel. The found body has yet to be officially identified.

update 9:30 am NewsNet5 has an article and short video about the death that does not give a name.

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1) Pat Bertoletti 38
2) Scott Bickel 18
3T) Jake “The Great Lake” Larry 17
3T) Jeremy Park 17
Craig Reed 10
Jamie Park 7 – women’s winner

update June 3 The Tower City Facebook has a gallery

update 8:10 Cleveland.com has a blog entry reporting that Jamie Park will compete in Coney Island despite not reaching the 10 hot dog minimum
WKYC has an article and video
Metromix has a gallery

update 2:15 Cleveland Scene has a slideshow

update 1:10 The MLE twitter has the rest of the top 4:

update 1:01 Brian Subich has the Top 2:

update 12:56 The contest is over. Craig Reed estimates Bickel’s total at 17.

update 12:53 The contest is underway

Bob Shoudt announces that he will not compete in today’s qualifier and will attempt to qualify for the finals Saturday in Queens.

The headline of a NewsNet5 article claims the contest has already taken place.

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Scott Bickel appeared on Fox 8 News this morning to promote tomorrow’s Nathan’s qualifier in Cleveland. (A video of his appearance does not seem to be available.)

update Bob Shoudt announces that he will compete. According to the eatfeats database, this will be the first meeting of two of the current top five IFOCE members in a Nathan’s qualifier since the 2007 Philadelphia qualifier.

update #2 A video of the appearance is available.

update #3 Tower City Center has a page about the contest listing ultramarathoner Darris Blackford and Amy Brilhart as other competitors.

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