News

World Pizza Champions take team acrobatic gold in Italy

April 6, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The World Pizza Champions team garnered the first-ever team gold medal for the United States in the acrobatic dough tossing competition at the World Pizza Championships in Salsamaggiore, Italy, April 3-5.

The team took the silver medal in 2005.

According to an e-mail from team member Michael Shepherd, the WPC's Star Wars-themed routine saw team members spinning the skins while costumed as Jedis, Siths, Darth Vader and a storm trooper.

The WPCs took five other medals including:

• Fastest dough, Bruno DiFabio, bronze
• Largest stretch, Michael Shepherd, bronze
• Individual acrobatic, Giorgio Giove, silver
• Individual acrobatic, Siler Chapman, Bronze
• Best Pizza from the United States, John D'Ambrosio

The World Pizza Champions team is coached by five-time individual acrobatic world champion Tony Gemignani.