By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY
Updated
Jud "Fabio" Birza outlasted, outwitted and outplayed to become the $1 million winner Sunday night of Survivor: Nicaragua.
The 21-year-old model-student from Los Angeles beat out Chase Rice, 24, from Fairview, N.C., and real estate broker Matthew "Sash" Lenahan, 30, from New York, by earning five of nine votes from the jury.
"From how I felt down in Nicaragua, going through all the angles or whatever, I really thought I was going to win by a little more," Birza told AP after the finale. "It's all good, dude. I would rather it be super close. ... As you could see, I was sweating. My armpits were going crazy. I was nervous."
To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.
About Ann Oldenburg
Ann has worn out many stilettos chasing celebs for USA TODAY. She's covered the Oscars, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, and has interviewed stars ranging from Tom Cruise to Rosie O'Donnell. Ann knows entertainment news is best served as a hot dish to friends and she's hoping you'll dig right in. More about Ann
Subscribe to Lifeline Live
Sign up for Lifeline Live e-mail alerts
