The coronavirus has prompted the postponement or cancelation of a host of sporting events, but there’s been one notable exception to that. Earlier today, the 2020 edition of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest took place — and while it occurred indoors with no public access, it was nonetheless a competition for the ages. Storied competitor Joey Chestnut had told The New York Times that competing without the roar of a crowd might make for a strange experience.
As it turned out, Chestnut had nothing to worry about. Not only did he win this year in the men’s division, he did so by setting a new world record, consuming 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Chestnut wasn’t the only competitor to set a record today, either. In the women’s competition, Miki Sudo ate 48.5 hot dogs — also a world record. Sudo’s victory was her 7th at the Hot Dog Eating Contest. In doing so, she passed Takeru Kobayashi to reach second on the list of most titles won; atop that list is Chestnut, who won his 13th championship altogether.
Both Sudo and Chestnut won their divisions by significant margins.
YOUR WOMEN’S results @originalnathans
1. @OMGitsMIKI 48.5
2. @TheRealDeal1964 18
3. @KcupcakeP 15
4. @JulzLovesPizza 8.5
5. @ReneRovtar 7 pic.twitter.com/B91NBh6v62— Major League Eating (@eatingcontest) July 4, 2020
AND YOUR MEN’S Results! @originalnathans
1. @joeyjaws 75
2. @DarronEats 42
3. @NWehry2415 39.5
4. @gchiger 24
5. @BadlandsBooker 20 pic.twitter.com/lJh35aRiIl— Major League Eating (@eatingcontest) July 4, 2020
For those who witnessed it live, it was a stunning display of virtuosity — and a chance to see two of the world’s best competitive eaters show their stuff, and break records in the process.
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