# 2010 Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 4, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548 "2010-07-04T19:34:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/21 "2010-07-05T20:11:46Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Goddamit. Watching Chestnut beat Kobayashi at the Hot Dog eating competition every year was the only thing that still made me proud to be an American. They hate your freedoms, and your pork byproducts. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/22 "2010-07-05T22:23:02Z")
> [@sevenwood](#): > > Does this remind anyone else of those staged WWE “grudge match” preparations? > > I’m thinking that in a month or two there’s going to be a well-publicised Kobayashi vs. Chestnut Hot-dog showdown eating contest. Probably in my home town of Philadelphia (home of the Wing Bowl). That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’m almost expecting this will end up in a heavily-hyped one-on-one match-up to be held on Labor Day weekend. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they have it in Atlantic City or Las Vegas and broadcast it live on PPV. Kobayashi-Chestnut could be this generation’s Ali-Frazier. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/23 "2010-07-05T22:41:29Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I am not sure what that means, 😕 Are you referencing my poker abilities? Yeah, kidding atcha (cheating in poker in addition to cheating at eating) - never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/24 "2010-07-05T23:45:49Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > Kobayashi-Chestnut could be this generation’s Ali-Frazier. That would be very very sad. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/25 "2010-07-06T02:41:36Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > That would be very very sad. Well, I wasn’t serious when I posted that. Still, I wouldn’t entirely rule it out (unfortunately). ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/26 "2010-07-06T03:11:42Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > Well, I wasn’t serious when I posted that. Still, I wouldn’t entirely rule it out (unfortunately). At the risk of being labeled a philistine, I’ll admit to getting more enjoyment out of the Kobayashi/Chestnut matchups then most any other televised sport event that I’ve watched (with the disclaimer that I don’t actually watch sports unless I end up hanging out with friends that are interested in a particular match). Granted its not exactly the most sublime of physical activities, but its still pretty intense to watch the Nathans contest the last few years. The first time Chestnut beat Kobayashi, both of them not only past the previous record, but blew past it with a huge amount of time left on the clock. Thats pretty different then most sports, where records, when broken, are improved by small fractions of a percent each time. And I really like the goofy nationalism angle to having what ought to be the an American celebration of gluttony on our own national holiday being utterly dominated by a Japanese guy, and then finally having an American “bring back the mustard belt”. Plus after watching, I don’t want to eat for the rest of the week, so its good when I’m trying to loose weight. ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/27 "2010-07-06T05:09:59Z")
I read on Yahoo Japan News that Kobayashi refused to sign whatever contract would have allowed him to participate in this contest because it stipulated he could not participate in other eating contests. Fella wanted to keep his options open. So far I’ve only found info in Japanese-language sources, but I’d be glad to link those if anyone is interested. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/28 "2010-07-06T05:35:42Z")
Stuffing hot dogs into one’s mouth does not constitute a sport. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/29 "2010-07-06T05:56:51Z")
> [@Captain\_Midnight](#): > > Stuffing hot dogs into one’s mouth does not constitute a sport. Eh, its people competing against each other in a physically challenging activity. I guess you can quibble over semantics, but sport seems the best word for it to me. ---
**Author:** ![carm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@carm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carm)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/30 "2010-07-06T06:42:15Z")
> [@Captain\_Midnight](#): > > Stuffing hot dogs into one’s mouth does not constitute a sport. Ha. One of my fondest memories of my time in the US was flicking through the channels, and seeing this competition - an american (presumably Chestnut) was locked in a head to head duel with a foreigner (presumably Kobayashi). When the American won, the commentator said “This must be one of the greatest moments in American sporting history!!!” I laughed for about three weeks - presumably roughly as long as it takes to digest all those hotdogs Edit: just found the clip: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_V-2NKUlzns](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V-2NKUlzns) Skip to 4.20 to hear - what he actually said was “39 seconds remain, this would be the greatest moment in the history of American sport if Chestnut can bring the belt home to Coney Island” ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/31 "2010-07-06T13:26:19Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > How much money does a Joey Chestnut make during the year? > > I wonder how many years he’s cut from his life by consuming food in such bulk. Unless he pukes it all up afterwards, I can’t imagine what a nightmare his body goes through to process the nitrates and fat in 60 hot dogs. The one source I have seen mention this gave his income from eating contests at $150,000 per year. He made $20,000 off this win alone. Good work if you can get it and he has a regular job on the side. Hopefully, he is setting aside some of his winning for the enevitable health problems he will have later on from consuming around 15000 calories in 10 mins. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/32 "2010-07-06T15:33:31Z")
There are a couple women competitors who are under 120 pounds. They are competitive. Sonya is called " one of the 4 horsemen of the esophagus". I like the humor . The introductions are very funny. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/33 "2010-07-06T15:36:12Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Hopefully, he is setting aside some of his winning for the enevitable health problems he will have later on from consuming around 15000 calories in 10 mins. I suspect those calories don’t have much chance to get digested. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/34 "2010-07-06T16:19:40Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > There are a couple women competitors who are under 120 pounds. I believe one of them is a Japanese lady - a formidable competitor called “the Black Widow”. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/35 "2010-07-06T16:28:43Z")
> [@sevenwood](#): > > I believe one of them is a Japanese lady - a formidable competitor called “the Black Widow”. > **[Mahjong Ways ≛ Link Situs Slot Mahjong Ways 2 Gacor Hari Ini Game PG Soft Resmi](https://foxfireapartmentsofunion.com/floorplans.php)** > > Situs mahjong ways 2 menyediakan games slot gacor yang terbaru hari ini dan mahjong terpopuler di PG Soft demo spin x100 dapat wins bonus jackpot terbesar. She’s Korean-American, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Lips\_Obsession](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@Lips\_Obsession](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lips_Obsession)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/36 "2010-07-06T16:33:41Z")
I believe the “Black Widow” was listed as 105 lbs…if I remember right. I know they said that if you upchuck before the end of the competition (referred to as a “Reversal of Fortune”), you are disqualified. But what I wonder is do the competitors upchuck after the competition? Only rarely, or as a matter of practice? I would be curious to see what volume 60 hot dogs and buns (and some liquid) would take up in someone’s stomach, even if thoroughly masticated, although it seems they dont’ have a lot of time for chewing… ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/37 "2010-07-06T17:12:04Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I suspect those calories don’t have much chance to get digested. I’ve often suspected this. Anyone know if it is really true? Is it possible that much of this food just passes right through with little or no metabolization? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/38 "2010-07-06T17:52:08Z")
As a San Jose resident, I don’t know whether to be proud of local boy Chesnut, or dismayed because he’s all we’ve got. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548/39 "2010-07-06T17:52:28Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > [http://www.sonyatheblackwidow.com/](http://www.sonyatheblackwidow.com/) Great website! I particularly liked the FAQ. Quoting selected items from there: 1. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE NICK NAME, “THE BLACK WIDOW?” Because like the female black widow spider, it is my desire to eliminate the males. 2. DO YOU EVER GET SICK AFTER A CONTEST? No I don’t. [from this and other replies I get the distinct impression that she doesn’t throw up the contents of a competitive eating contest afterwards.] 3. IN COMPETITIVE EATING ARE THERE SEPARATE CATEGORIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN? No, men and women compete against each other. This is because there just aren’t enough women in CE to merit having separate divisions. 4. HOW TALL ARE YOU? I am 5’5."\*\* My weight is 100 lbs.\*\* [bolding mine] 5. SONYA, EIGHT YEARS OF COMPETITIVE EATING MUST HAVE TAKEN A TOLL ON YOUR BODY. HOW SOON WILL YOU RETIRE? Look, I don’t think about retiring. Just this month (June 2010) I got a physical from my doc. My total cholesterol is less than 140, and my blood pressure is less than 130/80; and that’s without any prescription drugs (nor do I take vitamins). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-coney-island-hot-dog-eating-contest/545548.md?page=1)