FRANKS A MILLION
Dogs of war in Coney Island’s meat-eat contest today
Joey Chestnut isn’t about to let a scorching heat wave get in the way of another hot dog-eating title.
The eating machine known as “Jaws,” vying for his 11th win in 12 years Wednesday at the Nathan’s Famous hot dog contest at Coney Island, said he likes the hot weather because it “makes you loose.”
“Heat makes everything a little harder, it makes you fatigued (but) you’ve got to look at the positives. Heat also makes you loose, it makes the muscles stretch a little bit easier,” said Chestnut.
He added that he’s “just going to go out there and control what I can and let go of what I can’t” at the annual Fourth of July event.
Chestnut, 34, from San Jose, Calif., wolfed down a record 72 franks and buns in 10 minutes last year, breaking his own record of 70 set in 2016.
Woman’s champ Miki Sudo, who chomped on 41 dogs in 2017 to take her fourth straight title, said she’s worried about the competition.
“This year I’m watching out for Michelle Lesco, who came in second to me last year, and she’s been improving so I have to work harder than ever,” said Sudo, 32.
“I’m concerned that it’s going to be too cool actually. I come from Las Vegas, where we’re in triple digits. The humidity is a concern, possible rain is a concern, and the temperature being relatively cold is something that’s worrying me.”
The reigning champions, along with men’s runner-up Carmen Cincotti, women’s second-place finisher Lesco, 34, and other contenders were at the Empire State Building on Tuesday for the annual weigh-in – and friendly staredown.
Cincotti is looking to celebrate his 25th birthday – he was born July 4 – by unseating Chestnut and taking home the championship mustard-yellow belt. The Mays Landing, N.J., native — who boasts the world competitive eating titles for bratwurst, sweet corn and croquettes — last year ate 60 hot dogs at the Coney contest.
“I’ve been getting better,” Cincotti said. “My first year I had 42 hot dogs (for) third place, my second year I was in second place with 60, this year I’m hoping to win and keep the trend going.
“I’ve done a lot of practices with the heat blaring in my kitchen — my kitchen is destroyed,” he added. “I’m ready…Joey talks a big game and I hope he’s ready to back it up.”