Dan Gross | He's no chicken at Wing Bowl

POSSIBLY fueled by spite, Joey Chestnut was hungry enough for a second-straight victory at 610-WIP's Wing Bowl 15 yesterday.

Chestnut, 23, of San Jose, Calif., was loudly booed and greeted by the ever-popular "a--hole, a--hole" chant as he entered the Wachovia Center floor. But he responded by ferociously chewing his way to a Wing Bowl record, 182 wings, nine more than the amount he devoured last year, when he set a record of 173.

This year's theme was Philadelphia vs. The World, with 20 local amateur eaters competing against five pro-stomachs selected by the International Federation of Competitive Eating.

"Gentleman" Jerry Coughlan, 37, of Clifton Heights, finished fourth overall, and won the Philadelphia crown after polishing off an impressive 167 wings. The health-care worker competed in three earlier Wing Bowls and didn't think he would perform as well as he did.

"I thought I might do 150," said Coughlan, both humbled by and impressed with his heroic feat.

Coughlan won a Suzuki SX4 while Chestnut took home a Suzuki Grand Vitarra, both from the Matt Blatt Dealerships.

The annual convention of alcohol, chicken wings and, most importantly, strippers, brainchild of WIP morning hosts Al Morganti and Angelo Cataldi, began in 1993 in the lobby of the Wyndham Philadelphia at Franklin Plaza. Yesterday's event, though its $5 tickets sold out in one day, had a surprising number of empty seats,

Patrick Bertoletti, who was the odds-on favorite to win, came in second place to Chestnut. Bertoletti, of Chicago, drowned out the crowd's jeers with headphones blasting Chicago punk act Mexican Cheerleaders.

The undeniable crowd favorite was Rich "The Locust" LeFevre, who at 62, is the oldest pro-eater in the United States. LeFevre, who finished second last year, did not place in the top five. Each time LeFevre was shown on a Wachovia Center Jumbotron, the crowd roared with applause that was typically reserved for when the big screens showed the lovely ladies of the Gold Club, Club Risque, Crazy Horse Too, Oasis, Delilah's, Wizzards and any other strip clubs that also provided Wingettes.

It should be noted that not all Wingettes are exotic dancers.

Also on the big screens, a video tribute to Eric Gregg, the Major League Baseball umpire- turned-Wing-Bowl commissioner, who died last June. Former Sixers president Pat Croce was named the new commissioner and ruled with an iron fist, booting Dave "Dr. Winglove" Inderbitzin for appearing to have vomited, an automatic disqualification. Winglove disagreed with Croce's decision, and we think swallowed whatever vomit had been in question.

The wings themselves were mild, and provided by Rib Ranch (Castor and Aramingo avenues), which donates 7,000 wings to the competition.

Before the contest, Cataldi looked more nervous than any of the competitors. He said he was worried because he "lost control of this a month ago, but if everyone gets out alive, we did OK."

Royersford's "Humble" Bob Shoudt, who is an IFOCE eater, but competed as a local, was also predicted to perform well, but did not make the top five.

Southwest Philly's Hank "The Tank" Goldey told us weeks ago there was no way he would lose, at least not the Philadelphia crown. Drinking could have been his downfall. At about 5:30 a.m. he told us he had stopped drinking an hour earlier. Had been drinking Natural Light.

"Damaging" Doug Canavin, predicted by Cataldi to take the local crown, started out strong but didn't make it to the final round.

George Shea, IFOCE president, said Wing Bowl "is among the premiere competitive-eating contests and athletic competitions in the world." Shea gave the IFOCE eaters a pep talk after the first round when several of them had been bested by local amateurs.

Chestnut acknowledged that the pep talk helped inspire him onward to victory. He also credited his Wingettes, Tiffany Heller and Stephanie Ciliento, for keeping him focused.

Five-time Wing Bowl champ Bill "El Wingador" Simmons announced after the contest that he will be coming out of retirement to compete next year. He recently opened the Original El Wingador To Go (4th & Girard).

Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas, a crowd favorite in Wing Bowl 12, when she became the only female winner in Wing Bowl history, was widely booed yesterday. Thomas finished third with 169 wings, with Bertoletti coming in second with 170, Coughlan in fourth with 167. Dave "U.S. Male" Goldstein, of Voorhees was fifth with 138.

Proceeds from Wing Bowl ticket sales will benefit local charities. 610-WIP General Manager Marc Rayfield said that he's not announcing which charities yet, and that the sports-radio station is working on developing a charitable foundation. Rayfield said his goal each year in Wing Bowl "is to have everyone leave here with a smile on their face."

Rayfield said he loves Wing Bowl, but his favorite part is when it's over. He was leaving the event for a 11:50 flight to Miami for the Super Bowl. *

If you have something you'd like to share with Dan, call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com.