It's a great day to be an American. It's the 250th anniversary of American liberty, and Americans being Americans, we find as many ways to celebrate as there are... Americans.
On Coney Island, in a quintessentially American competition, championship eaters gather for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Last year's returning champions, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, have reclaimed their championships; Joey did so for an astonishing 18th time.
He’s the top dog for a reason.
Bottomless pit Joey Chestnut once again took home the crown at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Saturday afternoon, celebrating the 250th birthday of America with relish.
Chestnut, 41, scarfed down a nauseating 66 glizzies in 10 minutes to the delight of a ravenous estimated 25,000 spectator crowd in Coney Island to secure his astounding 18th Mustard Belt and $10,000 prize.
I'm not sure I could eat 66 death-missiles in a week, or even in one day, much less in the 10 minutes of the contest. Think on that: 66 hot dogs in 10 minutes. That's 6.6 hot dogs a minute, or a hot dog every ten seconds, more or less.
Wow. Just... wow. If I tried that, I'd have the wurst case of indigestion ever.
Over on the women's side, Miki Sudo reclaimed her Mustard Belt prize as well.
She’s frankly the best.
Miki Sudo refused to let go of her coveted Mustard Belt, capturing her 12th championship by scarfing down a gut-busting 38.75 glizzies at the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Saturday morning in Coney Island.
“I just said I would have to rely on muscle memory and the crowd really carried me through to another belt today,” she told ESPN after her win.
Miki chowed down 38 3/4 franks for her win, which is still a pretty impressive 3.875 franks a minute.
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Now, from the photos, it doesn't appear as though the contest includes eating the bun, as well; just unadorned hot dogs. It's still impressive as all get-out.
I've eaten a hot dog or two in my day. When I was young, we generally packed some weenies along on our camping trips, to be roasted on green sticks over the campfire, which, honestly, is the best way to eat hot dogs. Nowadays, given my aging carcass and its maintenance requirements, I shy away from the considerable sodium levels on those things, although now and then, looking for a quick bite, I'll grab one at the gas station down the road. If I ate too many of them, though, my resulting blood pressure spike would probably have me in a pickle with my doctor. Back in the day, though, I could easily down three or four death-missiles - and if you're wondering about why I call them death-missiles, bear in mind the old caution about laws and sausages, and the dangers of watching either in the making.
But 66 of them? Or even 38? Best to leave that to the professionals.
Rumor has it that the returning champions may be in for a movie deal; if so, I'm sure it will be an Oscar wiener.
Congratulations to Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo for retaining their titles. Everybody's good at something, right?
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