NEW YORK (AP) — Defending champion Miki Sudo forced 39 1/2 hot dogs and buns to win a ninth women’s title at Nathan’s famous 4th of July hot dog eating contest, before time stormy weather sets in and delays the men’s competition.
Sudo beat Mayoi Ebihara’s 33 1/2 hot dogs in 10 minutes on Tuesday in a contest that looked much closer until the final tally was announced. The unofficial real-time counter showed the two women tied for much of the competition. A final count of the plates settled the score.
Sudo, 37, was disappointed with her win tally, which was nine hot dogs shy of her all-time high. She said the competition from Ebihara, 27, discouraged her.
“The first few minutes I found myself staring at her, which I never want to do. I never want to be distracted by other competitors,” Sudo, of Port Richey, Fla., said after the competition. “Looking at her, I groped my hands. I got stuck with a big burp at first, but was able to fix it.
Champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is looking for a 16th men’s title.
The annual contest on the Coney Island boardwalk in New York has drawn competitors from England, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil and Australia, according to ESPN.