Grilling out, lighting fireworks, and watching as adults stuff as many gross, wet hot dogs as they can into their stomachs. It’s the fourth of July and the return of the disgusting Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Joey Chestnut, as it has been for the past 15 years is the dominant male master in the men’s contest. Since his 2007 win, Chestnut has lost only once and is getting better every year. He broke the world record last year by eating 76 hot dogs, buns, and fries in 10 minutes. This beat the previous record of one in 2020.
Chestnut is the most dominant individual athlete in hot dog eating. It’s hard to believe the way Chestnut is described, and, in the words of George Shea, he’s even not human.
Although Chestnut is the marquee’s name, 2022 marks the return to the contest of a legend in women’s competition. After missing 2021 because of pregnancy, Miki Sudo will be returning to the contest. Sudo won seven of the eight previous contests and holds the current world record for women holding the 48.5 hot dogs with a buns world record. The winner last year, Michele Lasco, was awarded the prize because Sudo did not compete. It is impossible to imagine anyone challenging the Sudo women’s draw.
Hot dog eating contest rules
Competitors are allowed to eat as many hot dogs or buns as they like within a time limit of 10 minutes. Water is allowed to assist with eating, dipping, and drenching. To count, contestants must not eat for more than 30 minutes.
If there is a tie, there will be a five-hot dog “eat-off”, which will see who can eat five hot dogs the fastest. The winner will be announced.
Men’s Outright Winner Without Joey Chestnut
Geoffrey Esper: -250
Nick Wehry: +275
Other: +800
James Webb: +1200
Gideon Oji +1200
Women’s Outright winner
Miki Sudo: 3000
Field: +1200