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American team shines at Pizza Olympics
April 12, 2007
SALSOMAGIORRE, Italy — The World Pizza Champions won the Team Acrobatic competition for the second year in a row and brought home 6 medals and awards from this year's Pizza Olympics.
Hundreds of competitors from dozens of countries including India, Sri Lanka, Croatia, Japan, Brazil, and the Ukraine converged on Salsomaggiore, Italy, for the Pizza Olympics March 26-29. Opening ceremonies kicked off the four-day event with each country parading through the competition hall with flags waiving and their national anthem playing.
The American team earned 97 points out of a possible 100 to take the Gold medal in Team Acrobatic, and successfully defended last years title. In the six minute choreographed routine inspired by The Godfather, team members did acrobatic dough throwing tricks such as across the shoulders, through the legs, and three at a time - all while wearing suits.
The back-to-back win is the first time any team has ever achieved consecutive wins in Team Acrobatic.
Team member Justin Wadstein beat out 40 other competitors to win the Gold for individual Acrobatic. Wadstein is only the second American to earn Gold for Individual Acrobatic.
John D'Ambrosio and Joe Carlucci took top honors in the Pizza in Teglia (pizza made in a pan) category.
Winning Silver in Largest Dough Stretch was Michael Shepherd. The Silver medal completed the set for Shepherd, who won Gold in the category in 2004 and Bronze in 2006.
The World Pizza Champions are made up of members Michael Shepherd of Michael Angelo's Pizza in Kenton & Rushsylvania, Ohio; Tony Gemignani & Ken Bryant of Pyzano's Pizzeria in Castro Valley, Calif.; Joe Carlucci of Famous Joe's in Danbury, Conn.; Siler Chapman of Si's Pizzeria in Fort Mills, S.C.; and Sean Brauser of Romeo's Pizza in Medina, Ohio.
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