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Champion aims for record 18th victory
Glenn Walsh, known as the "Popeye of Watercress Eating," is set to compete once again at the Alresford Watercress Festival in Hampshire, hoping to secure his 18th world title in the quirky championship.
The contest
Participants in The World Watercress Eating Championships must consume 80 grams of the peppery leafy green as quickly as possible. Around 25 to 30 competitors take part each year, racing against the clock to finish the required portion.
"When they say go, you just open a bag and stuff it down, and it's the quickest time that wins, as simple as that really," Walsh explained.
A reluctant fan of watercress
Despite his dominance in the competition, Walsh admitted he isn't particularly fond of watercress. "I don't mind a bit of it mixed in with something," he told reporters, downplaying his enthusiasm for the vegetable itself.
Festival highlights and history
The Alresford Watercress Festival, a not-for-profit event, celebrates the start of the watercress season in the UK. It features entertainment, crafts, food stalls, and cookery demonstrations, with proceeds donated to charities, including children's cancer charity Abby's Heroes.
Walsh reflected on the festival's growth, noting it began as a small local gathering but now attracts thousands of visitors annually. Over his 22 years of competition, he has faced rivals from across the globe, even fielding questions from international media, such as Chinese radio broadcasters.
Alresford's watercress legacy
The town of Alresford became the heart of the UK's watercress industry in 1865, when the railway line opened, allowing farmers to transport their produce to London's Covent Garden market. Today, it is recognized as the nation's capital of watercress farming.
Motivation beyond the trophy
While Walsh receives a trophy for his victories, he insists his motivation lies elsewhere. Speaking to Radio Solent, he said, "I get a cup for winning but I really do it for the honour, I suppose."
