Surviving Italy's chilli eating marathon - PHOTO

"I was weaned on chilli, my mom used to sprinkle it on my baby bottle to stop me from sucking it," he says proudly.Held in the picturesque cliffside town of Diamante in southern Italy, the marathon is the eye-watering highlight of an annual Chilli Pepper Festival that celebrates obsessions with super-heated seasoning in the surrounding Calabria region.Last year Capocchiano gulped down 560 grams (19.7 ounces) of diavolilli, the so-called "little devils" that are typically the hottest peppers found in Italy.His dream is to beat the record of 800 grams, a feat that will cap a lifelong passion for piquancy.Hot tea"I started loving peppers when I tried Penne all'Arrabbiata with spicy tomato sauce -- delicious," he says. "Now I put tons on all pasta and sometimes even in my tea."Capocchiano and nine other challengers will be closely monitored by a panel of judges and doctors as they attempt to shovel as many 50-gram dishes of finely cut chilli peppers as possible down their inflamed throats.No water is allowed, only olive oil and bread are on hand to turn the heat down.The red yellow and green hot peppers are fresh from the fields, picked by Diamante's women.Male and female fire eaters of all ages compete in the marathon, seated at a big table in front of the public.The winner is treated to a week's free hotel stay for two in a local resort and to a personal driver who picks them up at the airport."Just like a rockstar," says Capocchiano.Competition is tough. Participants train all year round, taking part in local eating contests. Only the best get to go to Diamante.Victory, says Capocchiano, requires a cool head and a stomach of asbestos and steel."A tongue or throat on fire will not always stop you. The tricky part is making your tummy accept all that chilli: the peppers create gastric juice. You need a good dose of meditation to keep the chilli in your belly."Another hazard, chilli seeds stuck between teeth, have been known to drive participants to quit the marathon and reach for a toothpick.(CNN)Bakudaily.Az