Miki Sudo wins sixth women’s title at Nathan’s hot dog eating contest
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Juliet Lee, left, Miki Sudo, center, and Michelle Lesko, right, compete in the closing moments of the women’s competition of the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest in New York’s Coney Island.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Miki Sudo reacts after the clock runs out in the women’s competition of Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest in New York’s Coney Island.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Miki Sudo, right, reacts after eating 31 hot dogs to win the women’s competition of Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest in New York’s Coney Island.
NEW YORK >> Reigning women’s champion Miki Sudo devoured 31 hot dogs to win the women’s division of the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest on New York City’s Coney Island boardwalk Thursday.
The 33-year-old fell short of her total last year of 37 frankfurters but earned her sixth consecutive title by easily beating runner-up Michelle Lesco, who wolfed down 26 hot dogs.
Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas holds the all-time women’s record of 45 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Spectators with foam hot dog hats, plastic noisemakers and homemade signs descended on Coney Island’s famed boardwalk for the contest.
“I’m super grateful for everybody who came out here to support,” Sudo said.
The men were to face off Thursday afternoon. Defending champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut vies for the coveted Mustard Belt against 17 opponents, including 2015 winner Matt Stonie. Chestnut set a record last year by eating 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
ESPN released a documentary Tuesday featuring the rivalry between Chestnut and his longtime foe, Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi, who no longer takes part in the contest.
