Chestnut gobbles down 50 meatballs to win contest

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut gobbles 50 meatballs in 10 minutes, wins Las Vegas competition

Joey Chestnut maintained his dominance in the sport of competitive eating — and expanded his palate — by winning the first-ever Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship in Las Vegas. Chestnut on Sunday gobbled 50 meatballs in 10 minutes at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino. The 6.25 pounds was a new world record and earned him the first-place prize of $1,500.

Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti finished in second place, just one meatball behind Chestnut.

Sonya Thomas, weighing in at 105 pounds, ate 42 meatballs to finish third.

The event was a Major League Eating-sanctioned competition.

Chestnut's resume also includes hot dog, pizza and chicken wing contests.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Joey Chestnut maintained his dominance in the sport of competitive eating — and expanded his palate — by winning the first-ever Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship in Las Vegas.

Chestnut on Sunday gobbled 50 meatballs in 10 minutes at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino.

The 6.25 pounds was a new world record and earned him the first-place prize of $1,500.

Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti finished in second place, just one meatball behind Chestnut.

Sonya Thomas, weighing in at 105 pounds, ate 42 meatballs to finish third.

The event was a Major League Eating-sanctioned competition.

Chestnut's resume also includes hot dog, pizza and chicken wing contests.