VICTORY CORNER: THE MEGATOAD REFLECTS ON HIS FIRST MLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Championships? The annals of MLE history are filled with the names of titans. After downing 30 Slugburgers in 10 minutes in Corinth, MS, on Saturday July 14th, 2012, Matthew Stonie added his name to that illustrious number.

Megatoad, congrats on your first MLE Championship win. A tough question first up: How does it feel? It feels great. I know that I will have to explain what Slugburgers are, what they taste like and all the rest for the rest of my career, but it will be a labor of love.

You burst onto the MLE scene with back-to-back podium finishes in Gyros and Asparagus in 2011. But it took you more than a year to post your first win. Why so long? I can sum up the wait in two words: Chestnut and Bertoletti.

What would you like to say to the greater MLE community, and to the people of Corinth, MS—the undisputed Slugburger capital of the world? To the people of Corinth, I send my gratitude—they put on a great contest and saw me though the whole 10 minutes that it took for me to secure a championship. To everyone else, thanks to those who've supported me, and, in they're own special way, more so to those who've doubted me. Without all of you I would not have the drive to keep this fire going. As much as I wish to sit back, relax, and celebrate this freshmen title, I'm already back in the kitchen cooking up plans for my next win. I mean that both literally and figuratively.

What was more satisfying: Bagging this first win or finishing ahead of the Notorious BOB on July 4th at Coney Island? I'd call it a tie. While I always enjoy laying down the law on Mr. BOB, winning my first championship and becoming a world record holder felt pretty damn good.

When you look in the mirror do you see a different man now that you are a champion? And if so, Matt Stonie, what does that man look like? Not really, still just the same ol' Matt Stonie.

Would you like to take this opportunity to start a beef with any of your MLE compatriots? This is your shot. No, not really. I'm not big on red meat for breakfast, but I do like my English muffin with blackberry jam and Chestnut butter.

Cryptic. What's coming up for the Megatoad? Gyoza! It is probably my favorite contest of the year, aside from Nathan's. My Grandma on my Mom's side is actually of the Nisei generation, so it's also personal for me. Last year I edged out my first win against Sonya and Mr. BOB by just a few Gyoza. This year, I want to to increase that gap.

Follow Matt Stonie on Twitter @Mattstonie.

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