In an Independence Day event highlighted by a protracted weather delay, Joey Chestnut downed 62 Nathan’s hot dogs in 10 minutes to win for a record 16th time, and Miki Sudo downed 39.5 dogs to win the women’s competition for the 9th consecutive time.
Due to the harsh weather, Chestnut claimed afterwards that the day had been a roller coaster.
Chestnut answered, “They said it was postponed. We were unsure whether we would eat today. I’m simply joyful. It’s July Fourth, so I need to eat some hot dogs and succeed.
“I feel great,” he continued. I’ll have some drinks later because I have room left over.
James Webb of Australia finished third with 47 hot dogs, while Geoffrey Esper came in second with 49.
Thousands of spectators flocked to Coney Island, New York, on Tuesday for the opulent Independence Day event to witness competitive eaters consume as many hot dogs as their stomachs would allow in within 10 minutes.
Around noon, just before the men were scheduled to compete, a significant rain and lightning storm hit Coney Island, scattering the audience to shelter. The tournament resumed at 2 p.m. ET after a brief weather delay of nearly two hours.
Coney Island was notably mentioned in a special weather statement from the National Weather Service that warned of “strong thunderstorms” and “frequent cloud to ground lightning” in sections of Brooklyn.
According to a preliminary storm report from the National Weather Service, there may have been a lightning-related injury on Coney Island. Just before noon on Coney Island, the FDNY claimed they responded to a report of a “electrocution” and took a patient to Lutheran Medical Centre in Brooklyn.
An exhibition of gluttony
Chestnut, who has already won 16 of the past 17 Fourth of July competitions, including 63 hot dogs last year, was the clear favourite in the men’s division. In 2021, he downed 76 dogs, breaking the previous competition record.
Chestnut claimed he was prepared to push himself to a “extreme” limit during the competition in a Monday interview with CNN.
I’m not going to feel great after this time, I know,” he admitted. “I won’t feel totally normal for around four days, and the first 12 hours following the competition I’ll feel awful. I enter the contest aware of it and ready to endure it because it’s a fantastic competition, it’s the Fourth of July, and I’ll do whatever it takes to place sixteen.
The women’s fight between Sudo, the top-ranked female competitive eater, and rookie Mayoi Ebihara appeared to be nearing its conclusion. Ebihara finished with 33.5 dogs, according to an official review, while Michelle Lesco came in third with 24.5.
In addition to holding the women’s world record with 48.5 hot dogs consumed in 10 minutes, Sudo won the competition last year with 40 hot dogs. She was unhappy with her final score after taking home this year’s prize.
I’m sorry, guys, but 39 is a lesser number, she told the crowd.
The prospective hot dog champions competed in the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on Coney Island, New York City, on the border of south Brooklyn, near Surf and Stillwell Avenues.
According to the Professional League of Eating Contests, which oversees the event, the pre-show activities included music and dancing performances.
Eaters must have participated in a qualifying event in May or June and be at least 18 years old to enter. The top male and female finishers from each of the four qualifying events held by Nathan’s received invitations to the July 4 showdown.
According to CNN station WABC, every participant in the competition has a scorekeeper that keeps track of their running total. The use of condiments and other drinks is permitted. There are consequences for “messy eating and regurgitation,” according to WABC.
According to WABC, each category’s top eater receives $10,000. Fifth place wins $1,000, followed by second place ($5,000), third place ($2,500), and third place ($1,500). The prized Mustard Belt is also given to each champion.
