By Amanda Moses
Professional eaters chomped their way to victory this July 4th during the Annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.
For the past several years Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo were the reigning champions over the hot dog circuit; however, due to exclusivity contract issues Chestnut couldn’t take a bite out of the competition.
“We were shocked that he was sponsoring a rival brand…but we sort of worked through that and we conceded on it. We said look there was an exclusivity clause, but we just let that go and come to the Fourth of July, the fans want you. We weren’t still able to get to ‘yes’ with his management team, but the door is always open to Joey Chestnut. He was never banned and never will be banned from the contest. We love him. The fans love him,” all-star master of ceremonies and Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog contest host George Shea said.
With Chestnut off the slab, all eyes were lasered in on Sudo and whether she can not only retain her championship belt from Japanese newcomer Mayo Ebihara, who during the weigh-in at Hudson Yards one day before the contest stated that she could consume over 50 hot dogs.
“I have to take home my tenth belt,” Sudo said. “I am really excited. She is fired up and if she is ready to eat 50 then I have to be ready too.”
Under the beaming sun fans donning their very best frankfurter attire gathered on the corner of Stillwell and Surf Avenues in Coney Island, ready for an all-out food binge fest. Hundreds of hot dogs were cooked, squeezed into white buns and placed delicately beside each competitor. First up was the women’s team, and Sudo and Ebihara were ready to duke it out at the dinner table.
As Ebihara adorably danced as she stuffed wet buns into her mouth, Sudo put her hair in a ponytail and devoured 51 hot dogs, beating the world record for female competitors. This also marks the first time Sudo makes it onto the same playing field as the top male competitors.
Patrick Bertoletti, Nick Wehry, James Webb and Geoff Esper were the top eaters vying for the belt—each with a 50 hot dog consumption range. But the true top dog was Bertoletti with a personal best of 58 hot dogs and buns.
Photos by Amanda Moses
