The Fourth of July is Independence Day in America and it’s a day in which we celebrate with barbecues, fireworks and flags. But it’s also a day we celebrate with hot dogs; not just by eating them at our barbecues but by watching a bunch of men and women shove hot dogs into their mouthes for ten minutes at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Here is everything that you need to know about this July 4 event, which was once called “The Greatest Ten Minutes in Sports.”
When and Where is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
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The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual Independence Day tradition that takes place in Coney Island, New York. The event, which was once a singular competition with men and women, has been divided into two separate contests: a men’s competition and a women’s competition. The coverage of the women’s competition kicks off at 10:45 on ESPN3 and the ESPN app. The coverage of the men’s competition kicks off at noon on ESPN2.
What is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
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The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is an event sanctioned by Major League Eating and only eaters under contract with the league are eligible to participate. The competitors are given ten minutes to eat and swallow as many hot dogs and buns as they can possibly fit inside themselves. Competitors are allowed unlimited amounts of any beverage of their choosing although almost all competitors choose water. If any competitors vomit during the ten minute competition, they are disqualified.
Competitors to Know in the 2019 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
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There are few sports in the world in which there is a player who is regarded as the undisputed GOAT: Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady and Pele are just a few to name. You might as well add Joey Chestnut to that list. The 35 year-old eating legend has won 11 of the last 12 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests and seemingly sets a new world record each year. Some other serious challengers to Chestnut include Geoffrey Esper and 2015 champion Matt Stonie. In the women’s competition, Miki Sudo has formed her own dynasty as she has won the last five Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests and should be relatively unchallenged as she truly is in a league of her own.
Some History to Know about the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
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The contest is held at the site of the original Nathan’s and has been held at this location since 1972. The winner receives a mustard belt. Joey Chestnut set the record last year by eating 74 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes. It marked the third straight year in which he set a new record. Sonya Thomas set the women’s contest record with 45 hot dogs and buns eaten in ten minutes in 2012.
