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Niko Niko's World Gyro Eating Championship

Location: Houston, TX
Date: 05-18-2014
Winner: Matthew Stonie, with a New WR 24 Niko Niko's Gyros in 10

STONIE DEFEATS CHESTNUT, SETS NEW WR!

Matthew "The Megatoad" Stonie of San Jose, CA, ate 24 Niko Niko's Gyros on May 18, 2014, in Houston, TX, to set a new world gyro eating record.

So sayeth the big MLE book of truth. But this victory was much more than that—indeed, any win over world #1 Joey "Jaws" Chestnut is. Stonie defeated his mentor/nemesis/near neighbor/fellow eater for the first time in 2014 at this event; in 2013, Stonie logged three wings against The Great One. His 2014 haul started here. Where it will end is a matter for the prognosticators and the chin-scratchers—sooth-sayers all. We will know what has transpired after the fact. Let history walk unencumbered by your expectations, people.

But know this: any battle between Chestnut and Stonie is epic. It is not simply a battle between the world #1 and world #2. It is a timeless battle between age and guile in one corner and youth and beauty in the other. Of brute strength in one; lithe poetry in the other. Between aggression and agility. Between Mars and Aphrodite. Between Roman strength and Greek finesse. (NB: Sweet segue coming up, by the way.)

Fitting, then, that it was at the Houston Greek Festival, that Stonie should take down Chestnut. Final tally: 24 to 21. Stonie was fast at the outset—as is his MO—and did not slow throughout the duration of the contest. Chestnut was not able to mow down Stonie in the back third of the contest, as he has in the past.

This was a significant victory: The gyro is a meat-based, bread-wrapped pocket of deliciousness. The discipline is a test of jaw strength and capacity. (Until recently, MLE would have also noted that "teeth speed" is key to success in the gyro discipline, but this metric has been retired on the grounds that it is scientifically ungrounded and, frankly, plain old stupid.) Capacity. Jaw strength. This is Chestnut turf. Plain and simple.

It's going to a be a great year.

This contest* took place at 2pm Central on Sunday, May 18th at the Houston Greek Fest, 1100 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, TX 77077.

FULL RESULTS! 1 Matthew "The Megatoad" Stonie, 24 and a New WR. 2 Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, 21 3 Adrian "The Rabbit" Morgan, 12.5 4 Miki Sudo, 11 5 Juan More Bite Rodriguez, 9.5 6 Steve Hendry, 8 7 Nasty Nate Biller, 6.5 8 Mark Preng, 5.5 9 Alex "Moose" Perez, 4.5 9 Tommy Miller, 4.5 11 Nicole Miller, 3.5 12 Alex Brouskakis, 3

About Niko Niko's Greek & American Café and the 2014 Houston Greek Fest! Niko Niko's Greek & American Café has been a Houston tradition for over 35 years. With multiple locations in the city, Niko Niko's largest restaurant remains on the same property it opened it's initial walk-up stand in May of 1977. Regularly voted "Best Greek Restaurant" in Houston, Niko Niko's and owner, Dimitri Fetokakis, were featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in 2009. The Niko Niko's World Gyro Eating Championship is part of Houston Greek Fest. Fetokakis and his family have been long time supporters of the festival and the church. Houston Greek Fest is a four-day event featuring homemade Greek food & deserts, Greek beer & wine, Greek folks dancing, Greek shops, vendor booths, children's food, and a large children's play area. For more information, visit www.houstongreekfest.com and www.nikonikos.com

For information on Houston Greek Fest, visit www.houstongreekfest.com

For information on Niko Niko's Greek & American Café, visit www.nikonikos.com.

Follow Niko Niko's on Twitter @NikoNikosGreek

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*All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and fully acknowledge and understand the inherent dangers and risks associated with participating in an eating contest. The applicant further acknowledges and understands that the MLE/IFOCE coordinates with event sponsor(s) to select and approve eligible participants, and that the MLE/IFOCE shall decide, at its sole discretion, whether an applicant is eligible to participate in any eating event, and/or related activities. The MLE/IFOCE may revoke an applicant's eligibility to participate in the eating contest, or related activities, at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. The MLE/IFOCE and the event sponsors reserve the right, at any time, to change any and all details concerning the event, including, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.

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