I’m sure most of the readers of this site enjoy an alcoholic beverage on a regular basis, however binge drinking is a completely different story and can be extremely dangerous. Personally, I don’t think this contest is a very smart idea and it is an extremely sad story that the champion ironically enough passed away soon after this Spanish competition. In the end however, hopefully this unfortunate circumstance can bring awareness to youngsters (alcoholics everywhere) to make better decisions regarding drinking too much.
The Huffington Post Reports:
Joaquín Alcaraz Gracia claimed the title of beer drinking champ during a festival in Spain Wednesday, but his victory was short-lived. The 45-year-old man died after the beer drinking contest, during which he reportedly consumed six liters of brew (about 12.5 pints) in 20 minutes.
According to local reports, Gracia won the drinking festival’s top prize and hoisted his trophy into the air. But the event, held in the Gea y Truyols district of Murcia, took a tragic turn soon after when Gracia began to vomit and didn’t stop.
By the time the medical team arrived, Gracia was reportedly in cardiac arrest. The 45-year-old was rushed to a local hospital, but passed away shortly after his arrival Wednesday night.
Under the rules of the drinking competition, contestants must drink as many liter-glasses of beer as possible in the 20-minute time span.
The beer drinking contest is part of the area’s annual festival, which has been held for more than 15 years. However, following the death, future festival plans have been suspended, La Nueva España notes.
