Chestnut devours 71 hotdogs to win again

On July 4, long before the U.S. turns its attention skyward, many focus on Coney Island, N.Y., home of Nathan’s Famous hotdog eating contest (and, in this writer’s opinion, the best french fries on Earth).

An annual eating contest since 1972, 33 competitors this year (18 men and 15 women) entered for a chance to win US$10,000 plus a mustard belt for the men’s winner and a pink belt for the women’s best.

The favourite to win the men’s division this year was Joey Chestnut, the world record holder who ate 74 hotdogs in 2018, and he didn’t disappoint. Chestnut ate 71 hotdogs and buns, 21 more than the runner-up, giving him his 12th title in the past 13 years. To put that in perspective, Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to just 11 National Basketball Association crowns in 13 years.

Reigning champion Miki Sudo ate 31 hotdogs to win the women’s division and her sixth consecutive women’s title, tying Takeru Kobayashi (2001 to 2006) for the second-longest winning streak in the competition.

Sudo fell short of last year’s mark (37) but easily dispatched runner-up Michelle Lesco, who ate 26. Sonya (The Black Widow) Thomas holds the all-time women’s record, eating 45 hotdogs in 10 minutes in 2012.

“I’m super grateful for everybody who came out here to support,” Sudo said after the win.

The caloric intake by these food athletes is staggering.

One Nathan’s Famous all-beef hotdog, with the bun, has 297 calories.