Woman the one to beat in Wing Bowl?
Three-time champ Jon "Super" Squibb will be back, he told WIP this morning.
Three-time champ Jon "Super" Squibb will compete once again in Wing Bowl, he announced this morning on SportsRadio 94 WIP.
He'll take on three men who have inhaled mass quantities of poultry appendages: Jamie "The Bear" McDonald, who ate 287 wings to win last year, professional eater Patrick Bertoletti, who consumed 227 in 2008, and Dave "US Male" Goldstein, whose 266 last year was the annual event's fifth highest total ever.
Squibb's 282 last year was his best, in a runner-up effort.
And yet a 125-pound mother of four from Nebraska might be the favorite to win the $22,000 top prize on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Wells Fargo Center. (Tickets: $10 at Comcasttix.net.)
Molly Schuyler made headlines this week by eating a 72-ounce steak in less than three minutes, destroying the old world record. The YouTube video of her frenetic chowdown has been viewed more than 1.2 million times.
In December, she qualified for Wing Bowl 22 by eating nine pounds of cottage cheese in under 2 minutes.
"This is history!" exclaimed Morning Show host Angelo Cataldi as she shoveled curds like a machine. "... Ladies and gentlemen, this is true greatness!"
So far, only one woman has ever won Wing Bowl, Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, who gobbled 167 wings in 2004.
"Anyone who underestimates Molly because she's a woman is going to be sorely mistaken," Squibb said this morning.
The South Jersey accountant won three straight times, before competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi established the all-time Wing Bowl record by eating 337 wings two years ago.
Last year, McDonald, of Granby, Conn., outdueled Squibb.
"This year for me is all about redemption," Squibb said. "... I'm coming back for myself and I'm coming back for the city."
If he wins it all, he'll not only get the 22 grand but a new car, the prize for the top local eater, plus he'll be inducted into the Wing Bowl Hall of Fame as one of the event's greatest champions, Cataldi said.
"That's a great honor guys," Squibb said. "... I need that crown back on my head. I need that ring back on my finger."
Squibb also agreed to make his entrance on a float sponsored by an adult beverage.
"Sounds like a great opportunity for me, and I personally like Fireball Whiskey," he said.
For more Wing Bowl info, including video of eating stunts and Wingette interviews, go to WingBowl22.com.
Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.
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