Competitive Eaters Weigh In Ahead Of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Fourth of July is synonymous with many things: barbecues, beaches, fireworks, and for Coney Island, hot dogs.
On Friday, competitive eaters gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall for the annual weigh-in ahead of the famous Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
"You can feel the energy in the air. The air is as thick as a jar of Grey Poupon mustard," said an excited Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
Competitive Eaters Weigh-In Ahead Of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
As 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported, they come from around the world and with somewhat odd credentials.
"She has eaten a 5 pound burrito in 5 minutes," said George Shea, who presided over the weigh-in
Eight-time champion Joey Chestnut is back this year, and hungry for another win.
"If they're good hot dogs, I should know within 30 seconds whether I'm just gonna kill it," he said.
Chestnut has a claim to fame of downing 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2013, CBS2's Emily Smith reported.
"Whatever my body is telling me, I ignore it," Chestnut said. "I know what I'm capable of, and making my body do it for those 10 minutes."
Competitive Eaters Weigh-In Ahead Of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, Chestnut's biggest competition is Matt "The Megatoad" Stonie.
On Friday during the weigh-in, Stonie hit a mere 125 lbs. Where does he put all the food?
"If you saw me after the contest, you'd know," he said. "My big belly!"
In the female competition, Sonia Thomas is fighting to regain her title from Miki Sudo, who won Coney Island last year with 34 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
And record-holder Chestnut said hot dogs are still not his favorite food.
"Chicken wings, it's not even work. I just get into a rhythm it's -- oh my God, I can go to Hooters and eat 100 wings without even thinking about it," he said.
