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A British office worker narrowly failed today to break the world record for speed-eating Brussels sprouts -- a traditional Christmas vegetable which Britons love to loathe.
Richard Townsend, 24, managed 36 in a minute, but the record stands at 43.
"I do not think I could face another sprout for a few days," Townsend, of Exeter, south-west England, said after the bid, which was watched by 100 of his colleagues.
Having said that, he popped one of the remaining vegetables into his mouth, quipping: "It's a shame to waste them."
Townsend embarked on the eccentric mission after replacing his traditional New Year's resolutions with five challenges to be completed before the end of the year.
He trained for six weeks by eating plate of sprouts at least once a day, "much to the disgust of my girlfriend Vicky," he said.
He has so far achieved three of his challenges -- appearing on television, meeting someone who starred in a computer game and starting a collection of teabags signed by celebrities.
His final challenge is to fly in a helicopter before the end of 2006.
- AFP
