The first pie-eating contest occurred in January 1878 in Toronto, Canada, where Albert Piddington won a “handsomely bound book.” Initially, these contests in men’s clubs and bars were seen as displays of machismo. By the 1940s, they evolved into community events involving various groups. Today, competitive eating is a big business with professional athletes and open to amateurs, sometimes with fatal consequences. Here’s a look at ten people who died participating in or after eating contests, highlighting the serious risks involved.
10. Madelyn “Madie” Lee Nicpon
Madelyn “Madie” Lee Nicpon, a Tufts University athlete, tragically lost consciousness and died after choking during a charity hot dog eating contest in Somerville, New York. First responders attempted life-saving procedures, but the 20-year-old biopsychology major passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital. Remembered as a bright light and a kind person, her teammates mourned her loss deeply.
9. Dana Hutchins
Dana Hutchins, 41, died at a local hospital after participating in a taco eating contest during a Fresno Grizzlies minor league baseball game. An autopsy revealed he died from choking. His family filed a lawsuit against the event organizers, Fresno Sports and Events, claiming negligence for failing to adequately inform participants of the risks involved and the need for proper training. Hutchins’s sudden death shocked his family, highlighting the potential dangers of amateur eating competitions.
8. Fredy Jayadi
Fredy Jayadi, 45, died after choking on a KFC chicken wing during the 2016 “Eat or Treat” contest in West Jakarta, Indonesia. He couldn’t wash down the chicken, causing it to lodge in his throat. He collapsed and later died at a local hospital. The organizers canceled the contest and offered support to Jayadi’s family. KFC clarified their role was limited to providing the venue. Police investigation revealed the organizers failed to provide medical personnel, emphasizing the importance of safety measures at such events.
7. Subhash Ladov
Subhash Ladov aimed to win 2,000 rupees by swallowing 50 eggs. He was making progress until his 42nd egg when he fell unconscious. Admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, he died without regaining consciousness. Consuming 50 eggs, weighing about six pounds, is far beyond what the average human stomach can handle. This tragic event mirrors a similar scene in the movie Cool Hand Luke, turning a cinematic challenge into a fatal reality.
6. Caitlin Nelson
Caitlin Nelson, a 20-year-old Sacred Heart University student, choked during a pancake eating contest. Nursing students, police officers, and paramedics provided immediate assistance, but Nelson was rushed to a Bridgeport, Connecticut, hospital in critical condition. She was later transferred to New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, where she died three days later. The university settled a lawsuit filed by Nelson’s mother, underscoring the somber consequences of what began as a “fun” event.
5. Travis Malouff
Travis Malouff’s last meal was doughnuts. Participating in an eating contest at VooDoo Doughnuts, he was tasked with eating a 1.1-pound glazed doughnut in 80 seconds. Paramedics responded to reports of a man choking, but Malouff, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene. Eyewitness reports indicated he was partaking in the chain’s ‘Tex-Ass’ doughnut challenge. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the severe risks associated with speed-eating large quantities of food.
4. Sixty-Year-Old Woman
During an Australian Day tradition, a 60-year-old woman died from choking and having a seizure during a lamington eating contest in Queensland, Australia. The lamingtons, cube-shaped sponge cakes coated with chocolate and coconut flakes, were served at the Beach House Hotel in Hervey Bay. Despite attempts to assist her, she passed away at a local hospital. The event, meant to celebrate Australian culture, ended in tragedy, prompting condolences from the hotel and bakery.
3. Adam Deely
Adam Deely, a graphic design student and nightclub employee, participated in an unofficial fairy cake-eating contest after the main event at the Monkey Cafe nightclub in Swansea. During the spur-of-the-moment competition, Deely collapsed and was taken to Singelton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was several fairy cakes lodged in his throat. His friends were playfully shoving cakes into each other’s mouths when the tragic accident occurred, turning a light-hearted moment into a fatal one.
2. Mario Oscar Melo
Former Argentinian professional boxer Mario Oscar Melo died during a croissant eating contest. The 65-year-old choked on his third croissant in front of a crowd in Argentina. Attempts to dislodge the pastry were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at Pinamar Hospital. While his sister initially thought it was a prank, it’s believed he died from choking, though his diabetes may have contributed. This incident underscores the risks, regardless of one’s physical condition.
1. Edward Archbold
Edward Archbold won a python in a reptile shop’s bug-eating contest but died shortly after. He consumed 60 grams of mealworms, 35 super worms, and part of a bucket of discoid roaches. Initially, experts dismissed allergic reactions or toxic effects from the bugs. The Broward County medical examiner determined he died of asphyxia due to choking and aspiration of gastric contents, with arthropod body parts blocking his respiratory system. This revealed the fatal danger of consuming large quantities of insects quickly.
These ten stories serve as cautionary tales about the potential dangers of competitive eating. While these contests may seem fun, they can have deadly consequences. It’s crucial to consider the risks involved and to prioritize safety above all else.
Have these stories changed your perspective on eating contests? Leave your comment below.
