America’s top hot dog eating contest was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday as a lightning delay put a stop to the Fourth of July festivities.
Over 30,000 people have descended on Coney Island in New York to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Earlier in the day, women’s champion Miki Sudo, 38, romped to victory as she captured her ninth title, steaming ahead of the pack with 39.5 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes.
But as the huge crowds waited in anticipation for reigning champ Joey Chestnut to take to the stage, the contest was halted due to lightning in the area.
He will be hoping to beat his world record of 76 hot dogs wolfed down in 10 minutes, while women’s champion Sudo holds the female record with 48.5.
Legendary competitive eater Miki Sudo, 38, romped to victory as she captured her ninth title
Sudo roared ahead of the field as she ate 39.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes
Runner up Mayoi Ehibara put up a stern effort but fell short of victory by six hot dogs
Over 30,000 people are expected to flock to Coney Island, New York for the event
Contestants are given 10 minutes to ingest as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns as possible
The iconic hot dog eating showdown has been taking place every year in Coney Island, near Brooklyn, New York for over five decades.
Seen as one of the premier eating contests in America, it has been organized by the Major League Eating (MLE) since 1997.
Taking to the stage this year includes a fleet of past champions and special invitees from around the world, while others can qualify though preliminary contests.
The winner receives $10,000, while second place gets $5,000 and third place gets $2,500. The men’s and women’s winners also land a huge, bedazzled wrestling-style belt.
The annual event is a hallmark of the competitive eating scene every year, with the contest even held behind closed doors in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Joey Chestnut (left) and Miki Sudo (right) are the favorites to win this year
Chestnut (left) pictured against rival eater Nick Wehry (right) at the contest’s opening ceremony on July 3, 2023
The 2023 Championship belts rest on a table during a weigh-in ceremony before the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest
Contestants are tasked with wolfing down as many hot dogs as possible in 10 minutes
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Contest has been held every year for over five decades
Frenzied spectators readying to party ahead of the contest on July 4, 2023
The annual event draws a huge crowd as revelers flock to see the quickest eaters in the world
Contestants are given 10 minutes to ingest as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns as possible.
Other rules placed on competitors to start the day include the permitting of any beverages to help aid the hot dogs on the way down.
Each competitor is given their own judge, and a live score is running throughout the race while packed crowds are sent into a frenzy.
Condiments are also allowed, but unsurprisingly most contestants opt not to bother.
Although the players are often covered in hot dogs and beverages by the end of the 10 minutes, judges are able to hand down penalty cards for messy eating.
If there is a tie at the end of the day, the eaters will be forced to get more hot dogs down to win as the contest goes to a sudden death eat-off.
Condiments are also allowed, but unsurprisingly most contestants opt not to bother
Revelers dressed as hot dogs standing in anticipation before the contest begins
A man with an American flag umbrella shades himself from the sun before the competition
Huge crowds are expected at the annual contest in Coney Island, New York
Many in the crowd will be hoping to catch a glimpse of Joey Chestnut romping to his historic sixteenth victory at the contest.
The 39-year-old, from Westfield, Indiana, won the Fourth of July competition for a fifteenth time in 2022 when he devoured 63 dogs in 10 minutes.
Ever since he burst onto the scene by beating legendary eater Rich LeFevre in 2005 at a deep-fried asparagus eating championship, Chestnut has dominated the sport.
He has set 55 world records in food-related contests throughout his illustrious career, including eating 141 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes and 32 Big Mac sandwiches in 38 minutes.
Chestnut has landed a series of sponsorship deals to go along with his prize money, as he has become one of the most successful competitive eaters of all time.
Last year, he told USA TODAY Sports he earned more than $500,000 and his net worth exceeds $4 million.
Featuring on this year’s lineup alongside Joey Chestnut is women’s champion Miki Sudo, 38, who captured her ninth title.
Joey Chestnut is the heavy favorite this year thanks to his reputation as one of the greatest competitive eaters of all time
Chestnut is pictured with 2022 women’s champion Miki Sudo at the opening ceremony
Sudo is attempting to capture her ninth title at this year’s contest
The two World Champions face off during the weigh-in ceremony
This year’s contest was greeted by an opening ceremony and weigh-in for the competitors, where Chestnut and Sudo faced off to build hype for the event.
Ahead of her bid for a ninth title, Sudo revealed to DailyMail.com how she is planning to overcome the competition.
She currently holds the world record for the most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes, with 48.5 which she set in 2020.
I feel really calm. I feel better than any year before. I’ve done a few practices, but more importantly, I just feel like I’m in a really good place,’ Miki, who is ranked third overall in Major League Eating, said.
‘[I’ve] been really mindful of what I’ve been eating, how I’ve been resting… spent some time in the gym.
‘I’ve gone back and watched some footage and I think I’ve tweaked a few things to have a really strong performance this year.
‘So, it’s just 11 days to go, I think I’m going to try to do one more practice or do a half practice just to really get that technique dialed in and… it should be a high performance, a high number this year.’