Matt Stonie winning the 2014 Poutine Eating World Championship in Toronto, Ontario.
By Ed Diokno
If it’s Fourth of July and that means it’s time for fireworks and hot dogs. Lots and lots of hot dogs!
On the Fourth of July, the world’s top competitive eaters will gather at Coney Island for a chance to become a legend. Two all-American Asians will defend their titles of eating the most hot dogs in 10 minutes. Matt Stonie of San Jose, California will meet nine other challengers, including former champion Joey Chestnut, who seeks to regain the crown and still retains the world record of swallowing 69 hot dogs.
On the women’s side, Las Vegas’ Miki Sudo, who gobbled down 32 hotdogs to take the title last year, will again be challenged by runner-up Sonya Thomas, also an Asian American.
Miki Sudo at the Annual 2015 Elk Grove Pumpkin Festival Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition.
Will current champions Matt Stonie and Miki Sudo continue in their recently won reigns? Or will the dethroned Joey Chestnut and Sonya Thomas retake their places as best in the world? Cast your vote below for your favorites to take the title of Nathan’s Famous World Champion.
Monday marks the 44th anniversary of Nathan’s Famous annual hot dog eating championship in Coney Island. The event draws thousands of curious onlookers to the flagship restaurant at the corner of Stillwell and Surf avenues in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Although he upset Chestnut last year, Stonie is the underdog in this year’s contest. Odds makers give him a 37 percent chance of retaining the title as top dog. Chestnut, on the other hand, is favored to win this year’s contest by 59 percent.
