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Fat Bear Week Winner Crowned: A Champion's Tale
1 Oct
Summary
- Bear 89 Backpack, offspring of a former champion, won the 2026 Fat Bear Week.
- The competition's website crashed due to overwhelming voter interest.
- Backpack overcame a severe leg injury years ago to become champion.
Bear 89 Backpack has been crowned the 2026 Fat Bear Week champion, marking a significant victory for the offspring of a former winner. The annual competition at Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska celebrated its chunkiest bears, with Backpack narrowly defeating a fellow contender.
The popularity of the 2026 Fat Bear Week contest surged, reportedly "breaking the internet" during its initial voting rounds. The sheer volume of participants overwhelmed the website, necessitating an extension of the voting period.
Backpack's journey to championship status is remarkable; he famously overcame a severe leg injury sustained years ago. This recovery highlights the resilience celebrated throughout the competition, which aims to showcase the wild inhabitants of Katmai.
This year's event expanded its field, featuring sixteen bears. Backpack, a favorite from early rounds, followed in the footsteps of his mother, Holly, the 2019 champion, adding a familial legacy to his triumph.
