Much the way the dramatic 2001 World Series provided a healing distraction in the wake of 9/11, perhaps the latest achievment of Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas can do the same in these days after Hurricane Katrina.

Thomas devoured 57 Krystal Burgers this past Monday in the Chattanooga, TN qualifiers of the 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championships. Thomas shattered her previous record of 48 ; fellow competitive eater Joey Chestnutt played the part of Sammy Sosa to Sonya’s Mark McGwire, consuming 56 Krystal Burgers.