Stuffed! Joey Castante has to compete in the long-running 4th of July Burn Dog Eating Contest due to lightning delays
America’s Greatest Hot Dog Eating Contest was put in jeopardy Tuesday when a lightning delay ended the Fourth of July celebration.
More than 30,000 people have descended on New York’s Coney Island to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Earlier in the day, 38-year-old women’s champion Miki Sudo cruised to victory for her ninth title, steaming ahead with 39.5 scorching dogs eaten in 10 minutes.
But as the large crowd waited for reigning champion Joey Castan to take the stage, the sport was brought to a halt in the room by a lightning strike.
He is hoping to break his world record of 76 burn dogs in 10 minutes, while girls’ champion Sudo holds the ladies’ record of 48.5.
Legendary aggressive eater Miki Sudo (38) battled to victory, winning her ninth title
Sudo roared at the sector entrance as she ate 39.5 burning dogs in 10 minutes
Second placed Mayoi Ehibara put in a strong effort but needed the win with six burning dogs
More than 30,000 people are expected to return to Coney Island, New York
Contestants are given 10 minutes to eat as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns as possible
The iconic, fiery dog-eating battle has been held annually at Coney Island, near Brooklyn, New York, for over 5 years.
Considered one of the most vital eating contests in America, it has been organized since 1997 by Major League Eating (MLE).
A fleet of former champions and special invitees from around the world will take to the stage this 12 months, while others can qualify in the heats.
The winner will receive $10,000, while second place will receive $5,000 and third place will receive $2,500. The men’s and ladies’ winners will also receive a huge, dazzling wrestling-style belt.
The annual event depends on the aggressive eating scene every year, and in 2020, due to the pandemic, the competitors are even being held behind closed doors.
Joey Castan (left) and Miki Sudo (right) are favorites to win this 12 months
Chestnut (left) is seen against rival eater Nick Wherry (right) at the game’s opening ceremony on July 3, 2023
The 2023 championship includes relaxing on the desk at the weigh-in ceremony for Nathan’s famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Contestants must eat as many hot dogs as they can in 10 minutes
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Competition has been held every year for over 5 years now
The frenzied spectators will be able to introduce themselves to the sport on July 4, 2023
The annual event draws huge crowds as revelers flock to watch the world’s fastest eaters
Contestants are given 10 minutes to eat as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns as possible.
Other guidelines set for competitors to start the day embody allowing drinks to help the recent dog land.
Each competitor will make their choice and the scoring is done during the competition as there is a lot of mass panic.
Spices are also allowed, but unsurprisingly, most participants choose not to bother.
While players are sometimes covered in hot dogs and drinks by the end of ten minutes, referees can hand out penalty cards for messy meals.
If the score is tied at the end of the day, diners may be forced to go down with an extra hot dog to win as the game suddenly disappears.
Spices are also allowed, but unsurprisingly, most participants choose not to bother
Waiters dressed as burning dogs wait earlier than the sport begins
A man with an umbrella with an American flag protects himself from the sun earlier than sports
A huge crowd is expected at New York’s Coney Island for the annual sport
Many spectators are hoping to see Joey Castagna, who is working on his historic sixteenth victory in the competition.
The 39-year-old from Westfield, Indiana, won the Fourth of July contest for the fifteenth time in 2022 when he devoured 63 dogs in 10 minutes.
Ever since he burst onto the scene in the 2005 Fried Asparagus Eating Championship, defeating legendary eater Rich Lefev, Chestnut has dominated the game.
In his illustrious profession, he has set 55 world records in food-related competitions, including consuming 141 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes and 32 Big Mac sandwiches in 38 minutes.
Chestnut has acquired a collection of sponsorship deals to go along with the prize money as he has proven to be one of the most vitally profitable aggressive eaters of all time.
In the last 12 months, he told USA TODAY Sports, he earned more than $500,000 and his net worth is more than $4 million.
This 12-month selection girls’ champion, Miki Sudo, 38, won her ninth title with Joey Castan.
Joey Chestnut is the big favorite this 12 months because he is one of many greatest aggressive eaters of all time.
Kastanis is pictured with 2022 women’s champion Miki Sudo at the opening ceremony
Sudo is trying to win his ninth title in 12 months
The two world champions compete against each other at the weigh-in ceremony
This 12-month competition was greeted with a break ceremony and contestant weigh-ins, where Chestnut and Sudo competed to build hype for the event.
Ahead of her bid for a ninth title, Sudo revealed to DailyMail.com how she plans to beat the competition.
She currently holds the world record for most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes, with 48.5 set by her in 2020.
I really feel calm. I really feel higher than every year earlier than. I’ve done a couple of drills, but more importantly, I just feel like I’m in a really good place,” said Mickey, who is third overall on Major League Eating.
“(I was) very conscious of what I ate, how I rested … I spent some time in the fitness center.
“I went again and checked some shots and I think I’ve fixed some of the issues to have a strong performance this 12 months.
“So, with only 11 days to go, I feel like I’m going to try to do one other exercise or do half an exercise just to understand the method and … it’s going to be an overachievement, an overabundance this 12 months.
