The 2014 International Hot Dog Eating Contest is a long-standing Fourth of July custom at Coney Island. ESPN was there to cover the event, although it more closely resembled a P.T. Barnum circus than a sporting event.
Two-time winner Sonya Thomas, aka the “Black Widow” wasn’t able to muster up a win this year. She was dethroned by Miki Sudo who downed 34 dogs and buns. Sudo will look great in her pink winner’s belt.
Thomas barely snatched second place with 27.75 dogs and buns, just .75 ahead of Michelle Lesco. Now that’s close!
Prior to the Men’s contest Joey Chestnut stole the show by proposing to his girlfriend. What kind of guy would propose to his girlfriend at a hot dog eating contest? Even worse, what kind of woman would say yes to such a guy?
Chestnut returned home from the contest with his 8th consecutive title, a gaudy mustard colored belt, and a fiancée. Even better, he completed his trifecta without getting any mustard on her ring.
Chestnut won by a landslide with 61 franks and buns followed by Matt Stonie with 56 and Tim Janus with 44.
Both the men’s and women’s event each had one intelligent entrant. Colin Shirlow and Val Bromann finished dead last in their respective events, eating only 3 frankfurters and buns.
Stay tuned for the 2015 July 4th event, same time, same location, same dogs, same buns. Will married life prevent Chestnut from winning 9 in a row? Will Chestnut still be married? Has the Black Widow lost her touch? Will someone eat fewer than 3 hot dogs and buns? Does anyone really care?