Hot Dog Champ Crowned at Nathan's Famous Contest

The Nathan's Famous Contest has been a staple of summer for over a century, with its roots dating back to 1916.

This annual hot dog eating contest has been held on Coney Island, Brooklyn, for over 100 years.

The contest has become a beloved tradition, attracting top competitive eaters from around the world.

The Nathan's Famous Contest is a serious competition, with contestants consuming hot dogs in record-breaking quantities.

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The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest has been managed by Major League Eating (MLE) since 1997. Entrants have to be under contract by MLE to participate, and aspiring eaters can qualify for the event during other preliminary contests.

During the contest, participants must eat as many Nathan's Famous hot dogs in buns as they can within a 10-minute period. Each contestant gets their own scorekeeper who notes the number of hot dogs eaten during the contest window.

Water and other beverages are permitted, and condiments are allowed, but contestants usually pass on them. Partially eaten hot dogs count, and hot dogs still being chewed at the end of regulation can qualify (as long as they're successfully swallowed).

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The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is not without drama, folks. Joey Chestnut won his 16th title, but the road to victory was filled with unexpected twists and turns.

The contest has its fair share of critics, and for good reason. Studies have warned that contestants risk death by overeating, and one 2007 study called it a potentially "self-destructive form of behavior."

But what makes this contest so dramatic? For one, the rivalry between Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi is legendary. Their personal rivalry was chronicled in ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary, "The Good, The Bad, The Hungry."

Kobayashi, nicknamed "Tsunami", won six straight titles but hasn't entered since 2009 following his refusal to sign an exclusive contract with Major League Eating (MLE). His absence is still felt, and fans are still waiting for a rematch.

The contest has also stirred up some political controversy. In 2019, the Washington Post compared George Shea to Donald Trump for ginning up a "jingoistic" America vs. Japan rivalry between Chestnut and Kobayashi. The Japanese star felt betrayed when his American fans turned their back on him to root for Chestnut.

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The drama doesn't stop there. Last year, three animal rights protesters charged the stage, and one elbowed Joey Chestnut out of the way. Chestnut, being the champion he is, grabbed the protester in a headlock and tossed him to the floor, then went back to chewing.

The man they call "Jaws" ended up downing 63 hot dogs for his record 15th Nathan's championship.

The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a beloved tradition that has its roots in the early 1970s on Coney Island. The contest has undergone significant changes over the years, evolving from a small, gritty affair to the spectacle it is today.

The modern Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest dates back to 1972, when the first official July 4th contest took place at Coney Island. This marked the beginning of the contest's transformation into the cultural phenomenon it is today.

The contest's popularity soared in 2001, when Takeru Kobayashi, a rookie Japanese eater, shattered the record by consuming 50 hot dogs. This moment marked a turning point in the contest's history, propelling competitive eating into the mainstream.

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George Shea, the contest's emcee, is an integral part of the event's charm. With his signature straw boater hat and over-the-top introductions, he's a beloved fixture at Nathan's. Rich Shea, George's brother, is also involved in the contest, calling the action on TV with ESPN anchor John Anderson and reporter Renee James.

The contest has a unique format, with contestants eating as many Nathan's Famous hot dogs in buns as possible within a 10-minute period. Major League Eating (MLE) has managed the event since 1997, and currently, entrants must be under contract with MLE to participate.

Here's a breakdown of the contest's format:

The contest has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and its popularity continues to grow. Today, Nathan's is the league's Super Bowl, World Series, Olympics, World Cup, and Masters Tournament rolled into one, according to Rich Shea.

The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has a set of rules that govern the competition. Major League Eating (MLE) has been sanctioning the event since 1997, and only entrants currently under contract by MLE can compete.

To qualify for the contest, you need to be a past champion, a winner of a regional qualifying contest, or one of the top two wildcard qualifiers. You can also get a special invitation from the MLE.

The contest is timed, and the competitor who eats the most hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes wins. The length of the contest has changed over the years, but since 2008, it's been 10 minutes.

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The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has a rich history that's worth exploring. The first official and recorded July 4th contest took place in 1972 at Coney Island.

To compete in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, you need to be under contract with Major League Eating (MLE) or meet certain eligibility requirements.

Only past champions, winners of regional qualifying contests, and special MLE invitees are automatically qualified to compete.

To qualify through regional contests, you'll need to win a single qualifier or achieve one of the top two average qualifier scores without winning a single qualifier.

If you're not a past champion or special invitee, you can still qualify through regional contests or get invited by MLE.

Once you're qualified, the contest rules are straightforward: eat as many Nathan's Famous hot dogs in buns as you can within a 10-minute period.

A designated scorekeeper will count each hot dog consumed, and partially eaten hot dogs still count if they're swallowed.

However, messy eating or regurgitation (known as a "reversal of fortune") can result in penalty cards and disqualification.

If there's a tie, the contestants will participate in a sudden-death eat-off to see who can eat the next hot dog the quickest.

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ESPN has been affiliated with the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest since 2004, a partnership that has been renewed through 2029.

In 2022, ESPN signed a new deal with the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) to continue the broadcast partnership.

This long-standing affiliation has been a staple of the competitive eating scene, bringing the event to a wider audience.

The rules of the game have been laid out by the governing body, which was established in 1875.

The first official rules were written by British sportsman and lawyer, Walter Camp.

The rules have undergone numerous changes over the years, with the most significant revisions taking place in 1913 and 1935.

The governing body has a long history of adapting the rules to ensure player safety and improve the overall experience of the game.

Top competitive eaters train for months, following their own unique regimens and liquid diets to prepare their bodies for swallowing the equivalent of three Thanksgiving meals.

Joey Chestnut begins preparing for Nathan's in January with dieting, practice rounds, and body cleanses. He employs jaw exercises and even sets up speakers and flashing lights to mimic the raucous atmosphere on the boardwalk.

The rivalry between Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi went beyond hot dogs, as they developed their own unique eating techniques.

Takeru Kobayashi pioneered the "Solomon Method" of snapping hot dogs in half, then shoving both pieces into his mouth. He also employed the "Kobayashi Shake", a trademark wiggle to force food down his esophagus.

Some competitive eaters game the system by employing "Happy Feet" to push up their totals.