#1 WITH A GULLET
Chestnut shows right ‘stuff’ again in record dog-munch
Joey Chestnut proved it yet again: He's second to bun.
The unquestioned king of competitive eating slammed down a record 74 franks in steamy Coney Island, gobbling up the competition to capture his 11th Nathan's Famous Hot Dog contest in the last 12 years.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Chestnut easily outpaced runnerup Carmen Cincotti's 64 hot dogs in the annual Fourth of July throwdown while surpassing his own record of 72 tube steaks inhaled one year earlier. The double-digit victory extended his record-setting number of successes in the seaside feeding frenzy.
“Oh, my God, I got in a vicious rhythm,” said a sweaty Chestnut, showing no ill effects from his unappetizing 10-minute gorging. “I was feeling good today. I think I get out of bed because I love to eat. I tried to have fun and enjoy the food.”
The 34-year-old food fanatic's latest triumph was not without controversy. A miscount by the judges initially credited Chestnut with a disappointing total of 64 before Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stepped in to verify the final tally, as the officials failed to note Chestnut and Cincotti were snatching the hot dogs and buns from two plates — not one.
“I was looking at the judge in front of me and I was shaking my head,” said Chestnut, who knew the count was wrong long before the 21-man competition came to a close.
The San Jose, Calif., champion pulled away from the competition by the midway mark of the contest to win the mustard yellow championship belt.
Chesnut, who overcome an 83-degree day with humidity that made it feel like 91 degrees, took home the championship belt and a $10,000 prize.
Miki Sudo scarfed down 37 hot dogs for her fifth consecutive tube steak triumph on the women's side of the competition.