Cyndi Loza

It was difficult to distinguish sweat from grease on Joey Chestnut’s face Wednesday as he chewed his way through 9.8 pounds of rib meat, winning the “king of pork” title for the third straight year.

Chestnut was among 15 men from across the country competing in the third annual Best in the West Nugget World Rib Eating Championship, the kickoff event for the John Ascuaga’s Nugget rib cookoff.

“It’s not like it’s work at all,” said Chestnut, 24, of San Jose, Calif. “I love to eat ribs.”

Chestnut devoured the meat in 12 minutes and won $2,500. Last year, he ate 66 hot dogs in a New York City event and 59 this year.

Patrick Bertoletti, 23, of Chicago was second, Erik Denmark, 30, of Seattle third and Rich Lefevre, 64, of Henderson fourth. Officials weigh the ribs placed before contestants and then the bare bones to determine how much was consumed.

After eating 7.4 pounds in less than 12 minutes, Bertoletti said he wanted to slow down and enjoy the festival.

“I wish I could taste the ribs,” Bertoletti said. “I didn’t get to taste the ribs in the contest.”

Participants varied in their strategies.

“I just try to loosen my jaw like a snake and rotate the meat with the bone and swallow without chewing,” Bertoletti said.

Chestnut said his healthy eating habits help him win.

“When I’m not doing this, I really try to eat healthy and maintain a diet,” said Chestnut, who did not eat for two and a half days before Wednesday’s contest. “Being healthy really helps me.”

Kim Hempstead, 40, of Sacramento was among the crowd that chanted “eat” throughout the grueling 12 minutes and said she enjoys watching eating contests.

“You get to see people when they’re full and stuffing themselves,” Hempstead said. “You get to see how much they can eat and how they can prevent themselves from throwing up.”

Others had to turn away.

“It’s nauseating,” said Coleen Timney, 41, Huntington Beach, Calif.