Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest, an American tradition
For 100 years the competition has enthralled many and sickened others
The annual Fourth of July Nathan's hot dog eating contest took place Monday at Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y. The talk was all about Joey Chestnut (right) looking to reclaim his title after being defeated by Matt Stonie in 2015, ending his eight-year reign as champion.
The Champion
After 10 minutes of eating, it was Chestnut who prevailed with his ninth championship and a new record.
Joey Chestnut takes Hot Dog Eating title back, eats world record 70 hot dogs & buns in 10 minutes, Stonie has 53.
—@darrenrovellJust in case you're wondering what was inside the champion's meal.
Joey Chestnut took in this in 10 minutes at Hot Dog Eating Contest: 19,600 calories, 1,260 g of fat, 54,600 mg of sodium & 700 g of protein
—@darrenrovellThere's no age limit
The 100th edition featured Rich LeFevre, a 72-year-old who holds eight competitive-eating world records.
This tiny 72 year old man is competing in the hot dog eating contest today <a href="https://t.co/7zfC9D9KcR">pic.twitter.com/7zfC9D9KcR</a>
—@ryanriebeThe ladies competition
Not to be outdone, the ladies have their own queen of competitive eating in Miki Sudo, who took home her third straight title at Coney Island.
38 <a href="https://twitter.com/nathansdogs">@nathansdogs</a> &buns in 10 minutes Miki Sudo wins women's competition <a href="https://t.co/Ud3SWcCwfH">pic.twitter.com/Ud3SWcCwfH</a>
—@MHerzenbergApparently, the weather can have an impact on a competitive eater's performance.
In her victory interview, Miki Sudo described how the perfect weather improved her hot dog eating performance <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetTheBigCatEat?src=hash">#LetTheBigCatEat</a>
—@dougingelsWimbledon, Kevin Durant, and hot dogs?
Many fans at home were disappointed to see Wimbledon being broadcast instead of the hot dog eating contest.
How is tennis on two <a href="https://twitter.com/espn">@espn</a> channels, Kevin Durant on one, and the hot dog eating contest on none?
—@BradVangeliNot even the news of Kevin Durant's signing with the Golden State Warriors could get viewers' eyes off the screen.
Guys, I know Durant signing seems important, but let's not forget the biggest thing in sports today is the hot dog eating contest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/durant?src=hash">#durant</a>
—@brett_withersBut despite being two completely different sports, fans found a way to relate the two. #zing
You never saw <a href="https://twitter.com/joeyjaws">@joeyjaws</a> team up w/ Kobayashi when he was getting beat by him all those years. Now look at him. Take notes, <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5">@KDTrey5</a>.
—@CorryMulliganTrailblazer absent
Notably absent from the event was competitive-eating revolutionary Takeru Kobayashi. Kobayashi shocked and awed when he introduced new styles of eating to the the annual event in 2001 and ate 50 dogs, when the previous record had been 25. Sadly for some, the trailblazer wasn't on stage to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Happy fourth. Takeru Kobayashi is the greatest eater of all time and the Nathan's contest is a farce without him.
—@jfagoneDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @cbcsports