I have found The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is really fun to watch when you have action on it!
Modern History:
2008- Chetnut 59 Kobayashi 59
The contest went to 10 min. for the first year. Chestnut tied with Kobayashi at 59 and then won by a bite in a 5 dog eat-off. A rivalry is born.
78* F 82% RH
2009- Chestnut 68 Kobayashi 64.5
Both men pushed themselves hard, both improved dramatically. Both set personal records.
79* F 59% RH
2010- Chestnut 54 Janus 45
Kobayashi banned this year so JC has no need to push himself. Also very hot. Joey Cruised to a 9 dog win.
96* F 37% RH
2011- Chestnut 62 Bertoletti 53
Slightly challenged by “Deep Dish” in the first year of women’s only comp, (Thomas 40). Lot’s of hype. Much better weather conditions for eating than last year. Another easy 9 dog win.
85* F 71% RH
2012- Chestnut 68 Janus 52.25
Total 62.5/OVER
Chestnut not challenged but eats like a pregnant horse and ties his record from 2009 as well as Kobayashi’s 6 time b2b record. Thomas sets ladies record with 45.
91.8* F 71% RH
2013- Chestnut 69 Stonie 51
Total 63.5/OVER
Chestnut officially peaks with record 7th win in a row. He is now the undisputed GOAT.
21 yr old Stonie notches a quiet 2nd. Thomas goes backwards but beats Lee by .75% of a dog with 36.75. The heat and humidity on stage are a brutal combo. Many men ice themselves before the comp after watching the ladies struggle.
84.6* F 80% RH
2014- Chestnut 61 Stonie 56
Total 67.5/UNDER
Stonie pushes JC hard this year. Both going for the magic number of 70 dogs. Neither can maintain the furious early pace and Stonie fades big time in the final minute. Chestnut says he “never found his rhythm.” Sudo becomes ladies champ with 34.
77.4 F 75% RH
2015- Stonie 62 Chestnut 60
Total 65.5/UNDER
Stonie breaks through and wins a tight comp wire to wire. Chestnut is fresh off a breakup from his fiancé. He spoke of setting the 70 dog mark and then retiring from the sport on top before this competition began. Afterwards JC blames his rhythm once again and vows to return next year. “Losing makes me hungry.”
Sudo goes b2b with 38.
75.2* F 73% RH
2016-
Total 63.5
Weather predicted 80* F 58% RH
Its another hot and humid summer in Coney Island. The magic number 70 is still out there. We have seen Chestnut improve his total by 9 dogs from 2008 to 2009 and twice improve by 6 in 2011 (62) and 2012 (68) before peaking in 2013 (69). I don’t see why Stonie can’t follow a similar path this year after improving by 5 dogs in 2014 (56) and then adding 6 dogs in 2015 (62). I’m thinking he can tack on at least another 4-6 dogs this year as long as the weather isn’t too hot. Chestnut was able to eat 69 in 13’ when it was 84.6* with 80% relative humidity. I’m betting 5 units the 23 yr old kid can muster, (mustard?...lol) a 2 dog improvement this year to get to the OVER.
MATTHEW STONIE - OVER 63.5 (+130) TOTAL HOT DOGS ATE for 5 UNITS (my max)
4th of July 8am ET
Happy 4th to the entire Pregame family!