Most civilized countries have long considered burping one of the most embarrassing things a person can do in public. Now, the World Burping Federation, in Geneva, is trying to change people’s opinion, and their first attempt was the first edition of the Burping Championship.

Held in New York City, this first annual World Burping Championship had competitors guzzling down gallons of soda in order to produce the longest burp possible. The five contestants chosen to take part in this unusual event weren’t just regular beer-guzzlers who like to let loose a few burps every once in a while. They were all competitive eaters with Major League Eating which meant the whole contest a lot more interesting. Unlike regular burpers, these guys could fill their bellies with gallons of carbonated drinks, making them more qualified to produce a burp worthy of the record books.

Everyone present at Hudson Station, at 440 Ninth Avenue, probably had their money on 400-pound-heavy Eric “Badlands” Booker, but the famous competitive eater could barely let out a belch longer than a few seconds, despite drinking two gallons of soda just before the event. It was actually 35-year-old Tim “Eater X” Janus who took home the title of World Burping Champion, after producing an impressive 18.1-seconds-long burp, after guzzling down 2 gallons of Mountain Dew and Diet Coke.  “I was just trying to condense all the air in my stomach and bring it to the surface,” said the 165-pound Janus. “You just have to force every last bit of air up. It’s beautiful, really.”

Contestants tried turning themselves into human bottles, by drinking as much soda and possible and shaking themselves around hoping to produce a more powerful burp, but in the end, no one could beat Eater X’s performance.

The contest was organized by the World Burping Federation, an obscure body that’s trying to eliminate the embarrassment associated with burping in public. “The World Burping Federation is here to dispel the stigma of an essential, and some would say necessary function,” said emcee Dave Keating. “We’re here to say that after a fantastic meal that one should be able to burp with enthusiasm and intensity — and be rewarded for that.”

Although this was announced as the first World Burping Championship, I’ve found another video of a World Burping Champion Paul Hunn, known for his extremely loud burps. This guys is able to let out belches louder than a car horn and almost as loud as a thunder clap. Check him out in the video below:

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