Stonie beats Chestnut again, this time by eating the most pork ribs

Matt Stonie, champion eater

IF THERE was any question who the world's top competitive eater is, that question has become more clear after last weekend in Sparks, Nevada.

San Jose's Matt Stonie, an Asian/American, downed 10.5 pounds of ribs in 12 minutes at the Nugget World Rib-Eating Championship, beating out last year's winner, the legendary Joey Chestnut, also of San Jose, California.

"Joey Chestnut has dominated this event for eight years out of the past nine, so to come here for the 10th annual Rib Eating Championship and take the title from him, it feels amazing," Stonie said in a statement.

Chestnut, 25, still holds the world record of 13.76 lbs. of pork ribs off the bone in 12 minutes which he set in 2013.

Stonie and Chestnut, ranked number 1 and 2 eating competitors in the world, have been going head-to-head in the Major League Eating circuit. Stone dethroned Chestnut at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating championship held in New York last July. Since that Independence Day contest, Stonie has beaten his rival in eating gyoza (Japanese pan-fried dumplings), tacos and Hooter wings. Chestnut was able to keep the crown for eating chicken spiedie (grilled marinated chicken in a hot dog roll.).

RELATED: Frankly speaking: Asians dominate hot-dog eating contest

For his efforts, Stonie won the bulk of the $5,000 purse and bragging rights until the next contest.

Unlike other contests, the rib eat-off didn't place the men and women into separate categories. The women competed right alongside the men. Coming in third is that top woman competitive eater, Miki Sudo.

Stonie's, Chestnut's and Sudo's eating exploits raises the questions: Is eating a sport? Is it a healthy sport? And, how do the competitors stay so thin when I gain five pounds just by looking at dinaguan?

###