And you thought the Irish were drunks...

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2003-11-19 12:32pm

Man Dies After Winning Vodka-Drinking Contest
Wed November 19, 2003 09:36 AM ET

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A vodka-drinking competition in a southern Russian town ended in tragedy with the winner dead and several runners-up in intensive care.

"The competition lasted 30, perhaps 40 minutes and the winner downed three half-liter bottles. He was taken home by taxi but died within 20 minutes," said Roman Popov, a prosecutor pursuing the case in the town of Volgodonsk.

"Five contestants ended up in intensive care. Those not in hospital turned up the next day, ostensibly for another drink."

Popov said the director of the shop organizing this month's contest had been charged with manslaughter. He had offered 10 liters of vodka to the competitor drinking the most in the shortest time.

Russians drink the equivalent of 15 liters of pure alcohol per head annually, one of the highest rates in the world. Some experts estimate one in seven Russians is an alcoholic.
© Reuters 2003. All Rights Reserved.

linky

Post by **Zaia** » 2003-11-19 12:49pm

Well....shit. Can't say that's much of a surprise when you drink THREE HALF-LITRE BOTTLES OF VODKA AT ONCE!!

Still sucks, though.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-11-19 12:51pm

Oi...well one way to hold the title.

1 1/2 litres of vodka...hell I'm amazed he didn't die outright at that point.

Well still sucks for him and kin, but jeez...

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2003-11-19 12:57pm

damn. . . .that is some serious alcohol poisoning. considering he was able to stay conscious while drinking the entire thing, he must have had quite a bit of alcohol content soaked up by his liver from years of experience. . . .it's amazing he wasn't in rehab or something.

Zac Naloen · Post by **Zac Naloen** » 2003-11-19 01:02pm

most of what the russians drink is vodka, they practically give it away at bars and places... ya know... to make it easier for the pickpockets, i mean... to help keep you warm

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2003-11-19 01:13pm

1.5 litres in half an hour?? Holy fuck, i hope they don't plan on cremating him, because his body will burn for days!

Tolya · Post by **Tolya** » 2003-11-19 02:46pm

Actually I believe that the world record in alcohol levels in blood (or blood levels in alcohol in some cases) belongs to Poland. Around 14 on the scale, whereas 3 is considered to be deadly. To reach it the guy had to be drinking for a few days straight. Ironically, he died in a car accident.
And no, I am no expert. Im a pole, but I prefer to observer such contests from a safe distance.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2003-11-19 02:51pm

I resent being called a drunk.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-11-19 04:30pm

Are they going to build on this success with a "Rat poison-eating contest", or a "Bullet to head contest"?