innovators Frank and Charles Menches, who claimed to have invented the hamburger in 1885. The festival included a hamburger eating contest, which O'Karma won. In 2002 he left the IFOCE after conflicts occurred with its owner, George Shea. He disagreed with IFOCE management regarding several issues, including concerns about the health and pay of competitive eaters. He later joined forces with a smaller competitive eating league, the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters (AICE), which was established by his friend eater Arnie "Chowhound" Chapman. He now serves as the Director of Operations for the AICE. Personal life Coondog was born in Akron, Ohio, and was raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He attended Kent State High School, where he was a varsity swimmer. Coondog later attended Kent State University and has worked as a painter and construction contractor. He is married with two children. References External links Association of Independent Competitive Eaters Transcript of Food TV's Unwrapped segment on the Denny's 96er burger ESPN article on International Hot Dog Eating Contest Year of birth missing (living people) Living people American competitive eaters People from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio