IFOCE Top 50 (actually 51) released
(Via Craig Reed comment) The new IFOCE top 50 (actually 51 since there is a tie for #50) is now available. The new top 5:
1. Joey Chestnut
2. Takeru Kobayashi
3T Pat Bertoletti
3T “Humble” Bob Shoudt
5. Sonya Thomas
Entering: Ben Monson (#24), Benjamin Taylor(#26), Erik Unger (#31), Damon Wells (#32), Anthony Reganato (#35), John Lapolla (#41)
Dropping Out: David “Brickhouse” Braunstein (#44), David “SykoBOZO” Cagle(#46), El Toro Jimenez (#47) Nic Fry (#48), Scott Zukowski (#49)
Previous rankings in Google cache
update (from Laura) There are actual 52 ranked eaters since there are 2 #47s and a #48. Steve “Pi Guy” Martin was also added at #50 (actually #51)
Jon Bello, with 2 top 3 KSO VI qualifier finishes, appears to be the top omitted eater at first glance.
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anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 11:29 am
This is total bullshit ok. Knocking down celebrities like Seiken and Barlow while removing Toro and Bozo is not right. You have to wonder if some of these names making their debut are made up names Note who the “pets” are that will always have a “comfy” spot in the rankings. Whats next ? Ranking Gavonne??. can you blame guys like Bubba and Boone for leaving?
eatinged said (Registered July 17, 2009)
October 1, 2009 @ 11:31 am
PI Guy makes it! Pretty accurate of where everyone should be…however, lots of one-hit wonders getting too much respect. Carnivoe Challenge winners got a lot of love, and the old guys are getting squeezed. The biggest “questionable” ranks look like 30-40.
spraymucus said (Registered July 1, 2009)
October 1, 2009 @ 11:38 am
1st!
I was pretty close on my votes. Glad to see Erik broke the top 10
#1 Joey “Jaws” Chestnut
#2 Takeru Kobayashi
#3 Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti
#4 “Humble” Bob Shoudt
#5 Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas
#6 Tim “Eater X” Janus
#7 Hall “Hoover” Hunt
#8 Erik “The Red” Denmark
#9 Tim “Gravy” Brown
#10 Eric “Badlands” Booker
#11 “Big” Ben Monson
#12 Juliet Lee
#13 Crazy Legs Conti
#14 “Buffalo” Jim Reeves
#15 Rich “The Locust” LeFevre
#16 Micah “Wing Kong” Collins
#17 Pat “from Moonachie” Philbin
#18 “Nasty” Nathan Biller
#19 Sean “Flash” Gordon
#20 Peter “Pretty Boy” Davekos
#21 Dave “U. S. Male” Goldstein
#22 Kevin Ross
#23 Eric “Steakbellie” Livingston
#24 Marco “Mongo” Marquez
#25 “The Natural” Arturo Rios, Jr.
Congrats to all!!!
Anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
Rankings are the biggest joke in the world. Think about all the money you spend to be ranked all the while the IFOCE dosen’t spend a penny to rank you. They get all these dudes to travel all over the place just to get destroyed by top ten eaters. To make money in this business is like a miracle. I guess it comes down to each his own.
SPBBBMBBB said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
No Worries – Syko and El Toro are “cinches” to make a more important list – even Hangman will be represented next week!! Any final tips for The Best Dressed Eater List would be appreciated – names and “proof”.
Here’s my top contenders (in random order), in a weak year for fashionable foragers:
Steakbellie Gravy Deep Dish Crazy Legs Big Sexy Ron Koch Hangman El Toro Syko Bozo Pi Guy X Koby SPBBBMBBB Humble Erb ….there’s got to be some I’m forgetting – help!
Anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
To put Ben Monson ahead of Rich, Legs and Juliet is #&**””@#^
The Hunger said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
The carnivore challenge guys deserved the ranks they got….no higher….no lower. We competed in two krystal qualifiers and were the first team to finish the carnivore. I put similar numbers to that of eaters like Conti, Keeler and Beard and Wing Kong. Were not claiming to better and even as good as these guys…we look forward to showing all the haters that we can put it down with the best of them
Gavonne said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
What’s wrong with ranking me?It’s better than ranking me out,which is getting tiresome.If it went by entertainment value I should be at the top of the list-people were hysterical when I did my Rodney Dangerfield impression at San Gennero cannolis.Who do I have to service to get in the top 50,or do I just have to change my name to Beautiful Joey?
Laura said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
Looks like there are actually 52 since there are 2 ranked at 47 and they dont skip 48. Having Pat and Bob tied at 3 is bullshit.
nic fry said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
lol guess ill have to start making it to contests…
anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
When you are no longer ranked it means they dont want you anymore. Crazy Legs could take 2yrs off and he will still have a secure ranking in the top 15. It pays to be a company favorite
anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
Wild Bill is a perfect example anony 12:03 He travels all over to compete spends thousands maybe got $100 back for all his efforst. Then gets presented with a $5 road warrior trophy at coney island oh and forgot to mention he is the official stat man for eatfeats.com
spraymucus said (Registered July 1, 2009)
October 1, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
Anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
To put Ben Monson ahead of Rich, Legs and Juliet is #&**””@#^
———————-
I based my opinion on potential (His sole comp he fell a 1/2 a burrito short of H. Hunt and 3 ahead of Erik, who btw is well deserving of his rank… maybe it was a fluke but whatever), not over all stats and field of work. No disrespect to Rich (who I respect very much but isn’t he retired now? correct me if I’m wrong) Legs or Juliet at all. 🙂
Nun on a Bun said
October 1, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
Boone did not leave he was kicked out.
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
October 1, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
Even in that lone contest, Ben showed he had talent. The man finished well ahead of the IFOCE (currently) eighth-ranked eater. Even right now he will consistently outeat several top 10 gurgitators. Ben has definite top 10 potential, and I expect to see his name there within a year.
I ranked him at #14, if I recall. The IFOCE has him a bit too low at 24.
Benjamin Monson said
October 1, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
I hope to earn my merit in future contest and show what my true quality is once I’ve been in the circuit for long enough to be considered a valid gurgitator.
BTW my capacity has increased substantially since i’ve started and continues to do so. With antiquate practice masticating and learning to control my esophageal muscle I believe I could be a well respected competitor. I am still enamored with the sport and don’t plan on desisting anytime soon because i aspire to compete with the top 10 and show true avarice.
Nic Fry said
October 1, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
congrats on the nice debut ben
SPBBBMBBB said
October 1, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Be careful, I was told too much masticating will make you go blind!
Anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
I believe everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, but to do one or two contests and go from no ranking to being in the top 25 or higher might be a little wrong.
Benjamin Monson said
October 1, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
I have no true feeling about the rankings either way because they do not dictate what my capabilities are just what others than myself assess me at which doesn’t change the reality of what I can or can’t do. Although it does sound nice but I can see how you would find it no completely accredited or a valid placement based purely on statistics.
Anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Right. Kobayashi should have been ranked no higher than 20 after debut. Its not fair to those who are regular.
Anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
Its competitive eating greats like Hall Hunt and Juliet Lee that make it the sport it is today. I would have both of them in the top five.
anonymous said
October 1, 2009 @ 6:31 pm
Good to see the great Wing Kong Collins move ahead of that Pretty Boy Davekos & Pat Philbin. This guy has been clawing his way for years and has finally gotten the respect and the capacity
B.O.B is the man
SPBBBMBBB said
October 1, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
Jon Bello was robbed….He’s a Top 40 at the worst. Another eater that got overlooked, my buddy Damien Boykin – 2 30+ Krystal performances, worth a place in there somewhere. I bet they are both really MAAAd AS HELL now!
mike landrich said (Registered July 4, 2007)
October 1, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
I agree Jon Bello should be ranked. He seems to be a good eater, with potential to be much better.
Anonymous Eatah said
October 1, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
As far as these new rankings are concerned, I believe ‘most’ of it to be accurate. I have 2 strong opinions on #6 and #33. X should definitely be ranked ahead of Sonya. Her wins were solid, but they weren’t against X. While she was winning, he was away entertaining the troops… no reason to be penalized. Then Russ, at 33, that’s bullshit! I think he EASILY should have been top 25. Absolute mistake on his ranking.
Jon Bello said (Registered April 14, 2008)
October 1, 2009 @ 11:47 pm
Thanks SuperPaulBoneBreakinBackingUpBelloBarlow! Haha! Seriously,I appreciate that Paul and Mike! I’m not bothered by not being ranked, I only did decent in Krystals this year. I’m just trying to get my feet wet right now. It’s been awesome so far, it’s really great to meet other eaters and travel around to different cities. Ranked or not I’m just glad to be able to compete. Congratulations to all the new eaters that made it. I’m actually excited about Ben Monson,I’d like to see him compete. Also, Eric The Hunger Unger another new eater from the south(I think). Thanks again guys, see you around!
Ggjoee said
October 2, 2009 @ 12:51 am
Paul the whip scare to show up any where in atlanta barlow . is a joke .
while he tells atlanta media he is no# 1 eater in atlanta . Boone is shown on TV around the world. as world champion. so try again mr. i do fix contests barlow.
Anonymous said
October 2, 2009 @ 1:31 am
Why do people keep refering to boone as a champion. If he is so good he would still be in IFOCE or atleast draw some good eaters to his made up league. As far as boone being all over tv that is not true. He has his UTube video of him beat some no name people in india and people seem to think he is really a world champ. Lets get things straight the people in the top 50 deserve to be there they travel, train, and compete with the best.
Anonymous said
October 2, 2009 @ 5:25 am
Anonymous so called eatah your wrong. Three of Sonya’s four wins were against Bertoletti (oysters, wings, and jalapenos). In oysters she beat X and Bertoletti (Acme oysters). Who did X beat in that one lone win of his? Not sonya. Im surprised X is not ranked farther down. Anyone who can’t win more than one minor event per year shouldn’t even be in the top ten!
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
October 2, 2009 @ 7:25 am
Eatah one of Sonya’s four wins was against X: Acme Oysters, and she has three wins in September. At the most recent event at which they faced each other, X finished behind Hall Hunt, who also finished behind Sonya. (Juliet has also beaten X this year, for that matter.)
I can understand a bit of bias towards X, entertaining the troops and all that. On the other hand, isn’t Sonya a BK manager on a military base? She entertains the troops day-in and day-out, serving food, and I imagine many of her customers know and appreciate who she is and enjoy meeting her in person.
Actually, X is one of my favorite eaters, regardless of the one instance a couple months back, at which I dissed him to make a point of how ridiculous comments are sometimes on this blog.
But just look at OJ’s head-to-head matrix that he/she painstakingly developed. It’s pretty clear to me that Sonya deserves to be a notch in front. Those two are probably buddies and couldn’t care less who’s ranked in front of whom.
I do agree that Russ at 33 is, well, laughable.
Nun on a Bun said
October 2, 2009 @ 10:36 am
I thank you also Paul for your kind words. Paul is the number one eater in Atlanta because he is a entertainer, gentlemen, and statesman. Part of the whole ranking process is showmanship people.
Bello I want to see you doing Nathans next year.
Mega Munch said
October 2, 2009 @ 10:42 am
Interesting. A couple things to note with the new rankings:
Koby is not #1. I think he should be, but someone here made a good point the other day that keeping Joey at #1 is better for marketing and profits because he can attend more contests and sponsors want the #1 guy at their event.
Micah Collins jumps four big spots from #17 to #13. Good for him, he deserves it and will be a top 10 eater by the end of next year.
Sean Gordon goes from #23 to #17. Another eater on the rise with top 10 potential.
Juliet Lee drops three big spots from #8 to #11. Interesting. I’m not saying it wasn’t warranted, but I’m surprised the Sheas dropped her from the top 10.
Biller, Marquez, Allen Goldstein, US Male and Steakbellie all drop from 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 to 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 respectively. The order of this block of five eaters didn’t change at all, which suggests to me that not enough thought was put into ranking these middle men. There’s got to be something some of these men did to warrant one or more of them moving up or down and changing the order.
Related to this, I would argue that Nate Biller should be ranked two or three spots higher than #19. He’s had four top five finishes since the last rankings were released. Pretty Boy Davekos (ranked #16) has competed only once since then and finished 4th.
Finally, the scrambled mess of lesser-knowns in the bottom half of the list makes me think that the rankings should be limited to the top 25 eaters only. After 25, the rankings become almost meaningless. Limiting it to 25 eaters will give people something to strive for (right now, one mediocre performance will get you “ranked”) and it will make “being ranked” mean a whole lot more.
anonymous said
October 2, 2009 @ 10:53 am
Dropping one or two points is better than dropping 10 20 or more. When the grass is greener dont bitch
SPBBBMBBB said
October 2, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Hey Mega….shhhhhhh! You are probably right, but, hey, our 47th place ranking is all we got left!
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
October 2, 2009 @ 11:39 am
That is so funny SPBBB! 🙂 If I were an eater I’d be happy to be on the honorable mention list after they ranked the first 100!
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
October 2, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
In all fairness, I can certainly understand Joey being ranked # 1. Every time I rag on him I feel like crap. He’s a good guy and it’s hard to argue against someone who has topped Koby at Nathan’s 3 years running.
Joey may you have a great year! I sincerely mean that.
anonymous said
October 2, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Joey this and Joey that shutup already
Mega Munch said
October 2, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
lol…sorry about that SPBBB. I didn’t mean to imply that you don’t deserve your ranking or that you are a “lesser-known”. How ’bout they trim the list back to featuring only the top 47 eaters?
Bubba and Larry said
October 2, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Wloce has more big names from over seas than little names from nyc And Wloce is a real company . Ifoce is not even a company. Show me where ifoce is a company in any state.I think it s time IRS checks out what the sheas are up to in taxes.
amommymous said
October 2, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
I’ll beat Bubba and Larry is who know who – the Loser League “owner”
SPBBBMBBB said
October 2, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
Better make it the top 72, the way things are going!!
Nun on a Bun said
October 2, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
Who the hell is Larry?
anonymous said
October 2, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
Superpaul is refreshing and should always be rankedQ
Anonymous said
October 2, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
Joey Chestnut is the greatest competitive eater since the invention of competitive eating by the great Don Moses Lerman!
Don '' Moses''Lerman said
October 2, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
I never said that I invented CE, what I said was that I was instrumental creating the sport
anonymous said
October 3, 2009 @ 1:33 am
Don stop being modest. You invented competitive eating the same way Edison invented the lightbulb
Nic Fry said
October 3, 2009 @ 5:59 am
hey paul dont do your best dressed till after halloween
Co. said
October 3, 2009 @ 6:00 am
How many times would a company use the word company to tell companies that a company isn’t a company, amongst a company’s company? Company company company? I’m just saying….
Bello said
October 3, 2009 @ 6:16 am
I did Nathans this year, but with a weak performance. I’m not going make excuses, hotdogs are rough.Also, between two eaters we had one judge. That judge missed a plate,so I got screwed. I didn’t make a stink about it because it wouldn’t have made a winning decision. I ate 16 ,but got counted for 11. I think Jim Reeves ate 23 to take the win. Practice practice practice!
Anonymous said
October 3, 2009 @ 11:42 am
Don surely had a major stake in making competitive eating what it is today. Thanks Don!
Don''Moses'' Lerman said
October 3, 2009 @ 11:58 am
Anon1142 Your welcome
Anonymous said
October 3, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
Rich Lefever will just keep going down in the rankings until he retires.
Anonymous said
October 3, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
Joey Chestnut is the best eater ever born. Thats easy to see by all. Dale Boone is a close second.
Benjamin The Wolf Taylor said (Registered September 29, 2009)
October 5, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
Wow, so I just got back into the city and saw my ranking. I would like to thank the IFOCE for putting me as high as they did in the rankings. I didn’t think I was going to make it on until next year. Like Ben, I hope to break the top ten or at least the top 15 by next year’s rankings.
Also, I would like to thank everyone for all of your support. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.
chuckcarolina said (Registered October 8, 2009)
October 8, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
how could humbe bob be tied for third. clearly he should be higher than tied for third. what a joke.
Anonymous said
October 8, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
BS. Bob is no better than fourth. Pat DOMINATED bOB IN THE TWO BIGGIES, hdb’S AND kRYSTALS.
anonymous said
October 9, 2009 @ 12:23 am
No reason why a screwball like gavonne cant be ranked
Gavonne said
October 9, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
Thank you 12:23 am.(I think?)
chuckcarolina said (Registered October 8, 2009)
October 17, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
my previous comment stands. humble bob should not be tied for third. he should be a stand alone third. check the stats.