Humble Bob Wins First Qualifier, Earns Seat At Krystal Square Off V Finals - UPDATE

Humble Bob Shoudt meditates backstage prior to the start of today's Krystal Square Off V Qualifier in Chattanooga, where temperatures soared to over 90 degrees.

Humble Bob Shoudt said yesterday that it will take more than 120 Krystals in eight minutes to win this year’s Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.

Today, in front of a large crowd on the Riverfront in Chattanooga, it only took 58 Krystals–less than half that amount–for the 40-year-old competitive eating pro to earn his seat at the final table this Sept. 28, where he’ll compete for the $50,000 total cash purse and attempt to dethrone Joey Chestnut as the King of the Krystal.

Despite earning him the win and berth in the final, Shoudt’s mark of 58 Krystals at the Chattanooga Qualifier today was no doubt disappointing. Shoudt, the number five ranked eater in the world, ate 95 Krystals at last year’s championship, and he wanted to set a big number early this year to give other eaters something to chew on over the next five weeks. And at the very least, he wanted to break Sonya Thomas‘ Chattanooga Qualifier record of 62 Krystals, which she set back at the 2006 event.

We spoke with Shoudt moments after finishing, and he didn’t hide his disappointment. “I feel like I am about to pass out, not from the food, just so lightheaded today,” said Shoudt, who confided that he hadn’t eaten anything over the past three days. “I’m so disappointed today. It’s the first time I didn’t improve my numbers with Krystal. I’m looking forward to coming back to finals.”

While Shoudt wasn’t pleased with his number today, the rest of the field seemed content finishing in the big man’s shadow, even if they did eat less than half his amount. Finishing in second was Larry “The Legend” McNeil, with 28 Krystals, and in third was young gun Rick Petralia, of New York, who ate 20 Krystals. Super Paul Barlow, dressed in Army camouflage as a tribute to a friend who has served three times in Iraq, finished in 5th place with 18 Krystals.

Here are the full results from today:

1. “Humble” Bob Shoudt - 58
2. Larry McNeil - 28
3. Rick Petralia - 20
4. Steve Spinosa - 19
5. Super Paul Barlow - 18
5. Brian Smith - 18
7. Michael Weber - 15
8. Rick Schumacher - 14
8. Mike Nafziger - 14
10. Ryan Gayden - 13
11. Larry Patterson - 10
11. Craig Cheatham - 10

The next qualifier for Krystal Square Off V takes place Labor Day, Sept. 1, in Jacksonville, Fla. on the Landing. Among the eaters already confirmed for the contest include Hall “Hoover” Hunt and The Hangman, and it looks like The Black Widow is in fact going to show up in J-ville to challenge the boys for a seat at the finals.

Stay tuned for more coverage from today’s event, including videos and photos, and for info on the remaining qualifiers, go here.

UPDATE: Video of today’s 8-minute Chattanooga Qualifier below.

Krystal Square Off V Qualifying Tour Announced

Competitive eaters will battle in 7 cities for a spot at the championship table on Sept. 28.

The road to the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship will journey through seven cities this August and September, giving amateur hopefuls the chance to put their money where their mouth is against the world’s best as they compete for a spot at the World Championship in Chattanooga on Sept. 28.

The regional qualifying gets underway August 23 in Chattanooga with an opening ceremony and eight minute eating contest. From there, the tour heads to six more cities across the South, including Jacksonville, Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham, and Memphis.

For the complete KSO V schedule, including dates and cities, click here

For the press release announcing the KSO V tour schedule, click here