10 Minute contest
Complete Results:
1st: Joey Jaws Chestnut - 68 HDBs
2nd: Takeru theTsunami Kobayashi - 64 1/2
3rd: Tony Clifton (Pat Bertoletti) - 55
4th: Tim Eater X Janus - 53
5th: Humble Bob Shoudt - 41 3/4
6th: Sonya the Black Widow Thomas - 41
7th: Hall Hoover Hunt - 38.5
8th: Erik the Red Denmark - 38
9th: Juliet Lovely Lee - 34
T-10th: Tim Gravy Brown - 30
T-10th: Eric Badlands Booker - 30
12th: Buffalo Jim Reeves - 28.5
T-13th: Crazy Legs Conti - 25
T-13th: Pete Pretty Boy Davekos - 25
T-13th: Sean Flash Gordon - 25
16th: Marco Mongo Marquez - 23
17th: Micah Wing Kong Collins - 21
T-18th: Franco Camerini - 14
T-18th: Bob Coccodrilli - 14
Rich LeFevre wasn't able to compete due to illness
Joey was able to three-peat by putting up a personal best and destroying last year's record of 59 in 10 minutes. I think this was the perfect day for Joey, the conditions could not have been better for eating in NY. The weather was warm around 75-80 but the humidity was very low almost non-existent and on top of that there was a slight refreshing breeze coming off the water. This was the first year since I have been in the finals that the hot dogs (meat) were actually warm, I think a lot of credit goes to Randy at Nathan's for paying attention to the conditions this year. The buns had been out in the sun for probably over 30 minutes so they did dry out a bit but despite that it seemed like when I dipped the buns they sort of disentigrated and went down with ease. The combination of weather and hot dog conditions created the perfect storm for huge numbers to be put up. I think 68 will be a really hard number to beat.
I had my best day ever as a competitive eater. I surpassed my own expectations on the 4th. I had a realistic goal of between 32-35, I was confident I could hit those numbers - I had a best case scenario goal of eating 37 or more. So, when I shoved number 38 in the last few seconds of the conteset, I was satisfied. Probably more satisfied than I have been since eating 22 HDB's in my first qualifier win at Coney Island back in 2006 to make it to the finals for the first time. Maybe standing next to Tony Clifton (Bertoletti) who also had an awesome day putting up 55 helped me out as well to keep a faster pace. Of course, after seeing how well everyone else did in the top 8 and ultimately not realizing my goal of finishing in the top 5, I later became a bit less satisfied but still happy with 38.
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After watching the re-broadcast I noticed ESPN only kept a running total of the top 3. It seems like everyone I talk to says the same thing - they want to see everyone's totals and they want to know where everyone finishes not just the top 2 or 3. I can't control what ESPN does or doesn't decide to show but I do think it should be spread around a bit more than it is. This year it was Gravy and Juliet getting a lot of attention as they will be featured in a Bio-Channel special tonight "I'm a Major League Eater" and it looks entertaining. I think it is easy especially on the 4th to get a bit carried away with the attention and not focus on the eating enough but well it is entertaining. Everyone in the top 9 put up their personal best on the 4th. I increased my PB by 10 hot dogs; more than anyone else I believe for the second year in a row.
It was very unfortunate that the legend Rich LeFevre did not compete. He seemed to not be doing well the whole weekend and I am not sure what the future will hold for Rich as far as competing. If the time is now for him to retire it will truly be a sad day for me and competitive eating as a whole. He is truly one of the greatest of all time and has always been gracious and classy while being a fiesty competitor at the table and one that I have the utmost respect for.
I have a lot of pics I will be posting later on but right now I am headed down to Lincoln City for the Chinnok Winds BBQ contest on Sunday. Cheers.
