Some serious eaters gathered in Times Square last weekend next to a giant hot dog to stake their claim to a spot in the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July.
To be quite frank (pun intended), the annual Independence Day gorgefest in Coney Island — held in partnership with Major League Eating — features contestants from around the world attempting to scarf down as many hot dogs (and buns) as possible in 10 minutes. Last year’s contest drew 35,000 spectators and is considered the Super Bowl of eating contests (it’s even broadcast on ESPN).
On May 17, those hoping to take down Joey Chestnut — the world record-holder of 76 hot dogs (and buns) eaten in 10 minutes — on the Fourth of July competed for a qualifying race in front of Times Square’s 65 foot-long hot dog sculpture (with bun), created by Jen Catron and Paul Outlaw.
The men’s division was clearly dominated by Gideon Oji, the 6 foot, 9 inch-tall former basketball player who has made a name for himself eating baked beans (10 lbs in 1 minute, 45 seconds), green chili stew (1.3125 gallons in 6 minutes) and kale, for which he holds a world record, having devoured 25.5 16 oz salads in 8 minutes.
Oji inhaled 35 hot dogs and buns (HDB) at the May 17 qualifier, edging out George Chiger’s 32.5 HDB.
Local hopeful Crazy Legs Conti, a very colorful East Village denizen who we profiled last year, missed the boat with a total of 12.5 HDB, but he is (unsurprisingly) undeterred.
“It’s all about mind over stomach matter,” he mused. “And I didn’t have the greatest mental prep. I sadly put up my lowest total in 23 years. I don’t know if it was the pressure of being in Times Square — the gaping vortex mouthpiece of New York City — or the looming giant wiener above me. But I’ve got another qualifier coming up in Washington D.C., so I’ve got another chance.”
The women’s champ was Laurel Marie Mele with a total of 16 HDB, beating out Olivia Murphy with 9 HDB.
The media swarmed around Oji when it was over, looking for enlightenment on his methods and some general wisdom from the champ. “How do you feel after winning today ?”, one reporter asked him.
“I feel full,” he replied.
Info about the July 4 event and more can be found at nathansfranks.sfdbrands.com/en-us/promotions/hot-dog-eating-contest and majorleagueeating.com.
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