Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo Secure Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Titles and Break Records
Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo solidified their positions as champions in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, while also making history by setting new world records. This year’s contest took place in a different location due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an undisclosed indoor venue hosting a reduced number of competitors and no spectators.
Firsts for the Contest
Aside from the location change, another significant development was the inclusion of three states, namely New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Colorado, allowing betting on the hot dog eating contest. Until now, only offshore and international sportsbooks were able to accept bets on the competition. Major League Eating President and co-founder Richard Shea praised this move, emphasizing that legal sports betting on the contest further legitimizes the event. Although disappointed by the absence of crowds, George Shea, co-founder of Major League Eating, expressed gratitude to New York City officials for their collaboration in organizing the contest.
“The tradition continues, and that was a monumental achievement in itself,” George Shea remarked.
Chestnut Shatters His Own Record
Joey Chestnut, the dominant force in competitive eating, surpassed his own previous record set in 2018 by consuming 75 hot dogs in a remarkable display of gastronomic prowess within 10 minutes. DraftKings listed Chestnut as a strong -1000 favorite, and also offered favorable odds of +140 for him to exceed 74.5 hot dogs. This victory secured Chestnut’s 13th Mustard Yellow Belt in 14 years, as it was only in 2015 when Matthew Stonie thwarted his reign. Stonie’s absence from this year’s contest was due to travel restrictions in place.
Despite his determination to break the record, Chestnut acknowledged the challenges of performing without the energizing cheers from the crowd.
“Minute six, I really missed the crowd,” Chestnut confessed. “They’re there pumped up, and I hit a wall and it took a little bit more work to get through it.”
Sudo Sets New Women’s Record
Miki Sudo, inspired to showcase her exceptional eating skills, aimed to surpass the women’s record of 45 hot dogs set by Sonya Thomas in 2012. With odds of -835 to win and +145 to break the record, Sudo devoured 47.5 hot dogs during the intense 10-minute contest. This triumph marked her seventh consecutive championship and established Sudo as the new record holder.
“I feel great,” shared Sudo, who impressively finished 32.5 hot dogs and buns ahead of her nearest competitor. “I’m sure the physical effects will kick in a little bit. I think the condensed preparation period really lit a fire under me.”
Conclusion
In an unprecedented year with a change in location and absence of crowds, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo reaffirmed their status as champions in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut broke his own record by consuming an astounding 75 hot dogs, while Sudo shattered the women’s record with her remarkable feat of devouring 47.5 hot dogs. These achievements highlight the dedication, skill, and determination of these competitive eaters, as they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of gastronomic contests.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many times has Joey Chestnut won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Joey Chestnut has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest a remarkable 13 times in the past 14 years, establishing himself as a dominant force in competitive eating.
2. Who holds the women’s record for the most hot dogs consumed in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Miki Sudo currently holds the women’s record for the most hot dogs consumed in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, with an astounding 47.5 hot dogs devoured in just 10 minutes.
3. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a change in location for the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Instead of the usual carnival atmosphere at Coney Island, the contest took place in an undisclosed indoor venue with a reduced number of competitors and no spectators.
4. Was betting on the hot dog eating contest allowed this year?
This year marked a significant change as three states, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Colorado, allowed betting on the hot dog eating contest. Prior to this, only offshore and international sportsbooks could accept bets on the competition.
5. How did Joey Chestnut feel after breaking his own record?
Joey Chestnut expressed a mix of elation and fatigue after breaking his own record by consuming 75 hot dogs. Although bloated, he stated that he still felt surprisingly comfortable considering the feat he had just accomplished.
