New York City – Miki Sudo from Florida emerged victorious in the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, securing her 10th championship title in a thrilling display of competitive eating prowess. The dental hygiene student shattered records by devouring an impressive 51 hot dogs in just 10 minutes, setting a new world record for women in the contest.
Sudo, at 38 years old, expressed her joy at retaining the coveted pink belt for another year, remarking on the hard work and dedication that led to her remarkable achievement. This year’s event saw Sudo facing off against 13 competitors from around the world, including her 28-year-old Japanese rival, Mayoi Ebihara, who claimed the second spot by consuming 37 hot dogs within the time limit.
With the absence of the event’s main star, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the competition opened up new possibilities for the participants. Geoffrey Esper, last year’s runner-up, only managed to eat 49 hot dogs, falling short of Sudo’s remarkable tally. Chestnut, known for his dominant performance in previous years, decided to skip the contest due to a sponsorship disagreement, opting instead to participate in an eating contest with soldiers at a U.S. Army base in El Paso.
Traditionally held outside the iconic Nathan’s location in Brooklyn’s picturesque Coney Island, the event draws thousands of enthusiastic fans each year, celebrating America’s Independence Day with a unique blend of competitive spirit and entertainment. ESPN broadcasted the contest live, with participants from various states and countries showcasing their talent in consuming copious amounts of hot dogs in a limited time frame.
As eager contenders from different corners of the globe converged on Coney Island, the stage was set for a new champion to emerge in the men’s division. Competitors hailing from states across America, as well as countries such as Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, and the Czech Republic, vied for the prestigious title and the $10,000 prize money up for grabs.
Among the participants, Australian contender James Webb, renowned for his world record in consuming 70 doughnuts in eight minutes, expressed confidence in his ability to vie for the top prize. With expectations high for a new champion to be crowned, spectators anticipated a thrilling showdown as competitors pushed their limits in pursuit of gastronomic glory on this festive occasion.