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As It Happens

World watercress eating champion claims his eighth title

It's a competition that requires intense physical strength and extreme mental focus. The World Watercress Eating Championship, Glenn Walsh, has been won his eighth title.
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Watercress is an aquatic perennial herb, grown in slow running bodies of water (James Newell - www.jamesnewell.com/)

In competitive eating circles, names like Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut run large. But have you ever heard of Glenn Walsh? Last weekend, Walsh beat out 15 other people to claim his eighth watercress eating championship at the Alresford Watercress Festival.

Basically you stuff it in as fast as you can, you have some water as well, you just get it down.- Glenn Walsh

"It's good to retain the title," Walsh tells As It Happens host Carol Off.

The watercress eating championship is the crowning moment for the  Alresford Watercress Festival, which attracts people from all over the U.K.

The Alresford Watercress Festival has been attracting people from all over the U.K. for over a decade (CBC)

"It's suppose to be two 80 gram bags of watercress as fast as you can," says Walsh. Although he is quick to point out that the bags looked much bigger than in previous years. He estimates the bags were closer to 130 grams of watercress.

Glenn Walsh won the watercress eating championship at the Alresford Watercress Festival, his eighth title. (Glenn Walsh)

Walsh managed to finish the bags in 90 seconds, a far cry from his Guinness world record of 32 seconds in his 2013 run.

"Basically you stuff it in as fast as you can, you have some water as well, you just get it down. There isn't too much chewing really."

Glenn Walsh is the eight time champion of the watercress eating championship (Glenn Walsh)

Watercress is an aquatic perennial herb, grown in slow running bodies of water.

"It's suppose to be one of these superfoods, but it does leave a peppery taste—it tastes great on a ham sandwich!" says Walsh.

"I use to love it a lot, but when you take it all in one go, it puts you off for a little bit," he laughs.

The highlight of the Alresford Watercress festival is the eating championship. (James Newell www.jamesnewell.com/)

Joey Chestnut reportedly trains for the Nathan's hot dog eating contest in New York year round. Walsh says his training is done mostly on the day-of the event.

"Preparation includes a couple of beers beforehand to lubricate the old throat a little bit."

For more tips on how to eat multiple bags of watercress, take a listen to our full interview.

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