Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest: Men’s Battle Faces Weather Delay – A Challenging Twist

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Delayed Due to Weather

NEW YORK — The highly anticipated Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, has been temporarily delayed due to inclement weather. The men’s division was initially canceled by the New York Police Department because of concerns over lightning on Tuesday afternoon. Shortly before the delay, reigning champion Miki Sudo defended her title by consuming an impressive 39 and a half hot dogs. However, the stage was cleared as rain and lightning forced organizers to postpone the event at around 12 p.m.

Unforeseen Challenges for Miki Sudo

Before the unexpected interruption, Miki Sudo believed she had eaten 37 hot dogs. However, upon a judge’s count, it was revealed that she had consumed them so rapidly that a few were not counted, raising her total to 39 and a half. As the reigning top female champion of all time, Sudo now boasts an extraordinary nine Nathan’s titles. Her remarkable achievement is further highlighted by her world record of devouring six hot dogs in just one minute. Sudo expressed disappointment, stating, “39 is a low number, I’m sorry you guys! I would not have left a partial hot dog on the table.”

In the women’s division, Mayoi Ebihara secured second place by consuming 33 and a half hot dogs, followed by Michelle Lesco, who finished in third place with 24 and a fourth hot dogs eaten.

Significance of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has captivated audiences for decades, cementing itself as a zany and beloved tradition associated with the Fourth of July holiday in America. The contest attracts approximately 35,000 spectators who gather at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, to witness the spectacle firsthand.

Reviving the Tradition: 2023 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

The eagerly anticipated 2023 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is set to take place on July 4th. The women’s competition will be streamed on the ESPN app at 10:45 a.m. ET, followed by the men’s competition at noon ET on ESPN2.

The Location of the Contest

Traditionally, the contest has been held outside the original Nathan’s location in Coney Island. However, in 2020, the event was temporarily moved to a private location with no fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Origins of the Contest

While there is an urban legend that the inaugural contest took place in 1916, the first official and recorded July 4th contest occurred in 1972 at Coney Island.

Rules and Regulations

The Major League Eating (MLE) has managed the event since 1997. Contestants must be under contract with MLE to participate. In addition to past champions and special MLE invitees, aspiring eaters can qualify for the contest through other preliminary events.

During the competition, participants have a 10-minute period to consume as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns as possible. Each contestant is assigned a scorekeeper who keeps track of the number of hot dogs consumed. Certain rules are taken into consideration, including the allowance of water and other beverages to facilitate the rapid pace. While condiments are permitted, most contestants tend to forego them. Partially consumed hot dogs count, and even those still being chewed at the end of regulation can qualify if they are successfully swallowed. Penalty cards can be issued for messy eating and regurgitation. In the event of a tie, sudden death eat-offs are implemented.

Prizes and Recognition

The first-place winner receives $10,000, while second place earns $5,000, third place receives $2,500, fourth place is awarded $1,500, and fifth place is given $1,000. Additionally, the top male and female competitors are presented with mustard yellow and pink mustard bedazzled belts, respectively.

Contenders to Watch

Joey Chestnut is the reigning top male champion with an impressive 15 Nathan’s titles to his name. Chestnut’s astonishing world record of consuming 73 hot dogs in 10 minutes solidifies his status as a formidable competitor. Miki Sudo holds 8 Nathan’s titles, making her the top female champion of all time. Sudo also holds a world record for eating 6 hot dogs in just one minute.

For those seeking a visual representation of the tremendous appetites of these victors, it’s worth noting that if all the hot dogs consumed by past champions were laid end to end, they would span the circumference of a baseball diamond 2.175 times.

ESPN’s Involvement with the Contest

ESPN has been broadcasting the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest since 2004. In 2022, ESPN solidified its partnership with the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), extending the broadcasting agreement until 2029. As part of the Walt Disney Co., ESPN continues to bring the event to viewers worldwide.

In conclusion, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a unique and cherished component of Fourth of July festivities. Despite the temporary delay caused by inclement weather, the excitement and thrill of this annual tradition remain intact. Spectators eagerly await the conclusion of this year’s contest and the crowning of new champions.