Biggest-ever Biggest Loser contestant Michael Ventrella wins after losing record 264 pounds

Michael Ventrella won The Biggest Loser 9 and $250,000 last night after losing 264 pounds, or 50.19 percent of his body weight. He started at 526 pounds, making him the fattest contestant ever in a season that had the three biggest contestants ever. Although he lost more weight than anyone else in the show’s history, last season’s winner, Danny, lost 55.58 percent of his body weight.

The person who lost the most weight after being voted out actually beat Michael, losing 53.35 percent of his body weight. That was Koli Palu, who wasn’t in the final three because viewers didn’t like him enough. After the finale ended, The Los Angeles Times reports that he “rocked back and forth, tears in his eyes” and told reporters, “I had it all in within my reach, and I won.” He also said that he didn’t regret his minimal at-home training, and said, “I did everything I could. It was out of my hands, I did everything that I could.”

Ashley came in second after losing 183 pounds and 48.93 percent of her body weight, while Daris George was third after losing 168 pounds and 48.55 percent of his body weight.

At the end of last season, the previous biggest-contestant-ever title-holder, Shay, was bribed by Subway to lose more weight. They offered her $1,000 per pound, and she lost only 52 pounds, going from 304 to 252. But Subway wants to keep her around so she’ll be training for a marathon with Jared, the original Subway shill.