Dr Venod Skantha (left), of Dunedin, admits defeat to University of Otago student Harrison Walmsley-Bartlett, of Hastings, at the Dunedin heats of the New Zealand Chilli Eating Champs at Re:Fuel Cafe and Bar last night.
Mr Walmsley-Bartlett beat 16 other competitors by eating a range of the world's hottest chilli peppers - including the ghost chilli and the Carolina Reaper - without taking a drink, leaving the table, or vomiting.
Dr Skantha stuffed tissue paper in his nostrils before eating chillies and exchanged jibes with the audience.
Mr Walmsley-Bartlett, the crowd favourite, ate the fiery fruit with ease, taking off clothing between rounds, flexing his muscles and taking selfies.
''Are you on Tinder,'' a female fan in the crowd of more than 50 people yelled at the 19-year-old winner.
Mr Walmsley-Bartlett has been invited to the national final at the New Zealand Hot Sauce Festival in Auckland on May 20.
