Anais Gutierrez
July 4th marks two huge celebrations, Independence Day and Nathan’s Annual Famous International Eating Contest. An event held in Coney Island and watched by millions.
Every year, the world’s foremost competitive eaters gather in Brooklyn to engorge themselves on hot dogs for 10 minutes. And lucky for us, it’s that time of the year again!
About the competition
The famed competition has taken place for over 100 years and draws a mix of regulars and newcomers, all vying for the coveted mustard yellow belt. Which is of “unknown age and value,” according to George Shea, co-founder of event sponsor Major League Eating.
The contest hosts both male and female divisions, both of which claim their own title of celebrity competitive eaters. In this year’s men’s section Joey Chestnut will defend his title and, for the women’s, Miki Sudo will compete after three consecutive wins.
Joey Chestnut is the reigning champion after he ate a record of 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2016. Chestnut reclaimed the belt from Matt Stonie, who beat him in 2015 by eating 62 hot dogs. Chestnut has nine titles to date.
On the women’s side, Miki Sudo holds the belt. She ate 38.5 hot dogs in 2016, holding onto her title for the third year in a row. Arguably her only competition is fellow three-time champ Sonya Thomas, who was the reigning champion before Sudo came onto the scene.
The payout for first place in each division of the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. The first place, of course, takes the mustard belt. Second place receives $5,000, third place $2,500, fourth place $1,500 and fifth place $1,000.
Hundred years history
Most historians credit Coney Island as the birthplace of the hot dog in 1870. Thanks to German immigrant and wagon vendor, Charles Feltman, according to the Smithsonian Magazine. Which makes only natural for the place to be the venue of such an anticipated event.
Decades and countless hot dogs later, one of Feltman’s Polish-American employees, Nathan Handwerker, broke off and founded his own business on Coney Island in 1916. Which eventually came to be known as Nathan’s Famous.
That same year, Handwerker is recounted as saying “I’ll tell ya, whoever can eat the most of my hot dogs is the most American,” according to another Smithsonian piece. Irishman James Mullen became the first victor, consuming 13 hot dogs in 12 minutes.
A full century later in 2015, the event propelled the hot dog eating competition to international attention, receiving coverage from major sports network ESPN since 2003. Including play-by-play commentary from renowned motorsports announcer Paul Page since 2005.
So, tune into ESPN 2 on Tuesday to see who’s the most American.
Source: Forbes
