Competitive eating is probably not a good choice for a new career for me. Maybe at one time. But my capacity to cram food into my has diminished over the years. And maybe it’s not uncommon.
Even Joey Chestnut seemed a bit off this year. He still won the annual July 4th hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, but he was no where near his record.
This makes fifteen out of the last sixteen years that Chestnut has won. He has become a legend in competitive eating. But his record from last year was seventy-six dogs and buns. He would like to hit eighty before he retires, but it might be tough. This year he only managed sixty-three. Although it was far better than the second place finish of forty-seven and a half.
Yes, he did have a leg injury. Unless he has a hollow leg to stuff full of hot dogs I have no idea what that might have to do with eating, but it was mentioned. And he did have to toss out a vegan protestor in the middle of the contest. But he still won.
So did Miki Sudo, the women’s champ. It was her ninth consecutive victory, although she did take last year off for the birth of her son. Still, she downed forty hotdogs and buns to take the coveted Mustard Belt of the women’s side.
So no surprises when it came to downing the dogs this year.
Chestnut did mention that he seemed a bit slower this year, commenting that many athletes have two primes. Their body has one prime, and their mind and knowledge have another. He thinks he’s hit the second stage, but still has a ways to go before he retires.
I guess I must have peaked too early. I’d much rather go for quality over quantity these days. Competitive eating just doesn’t seem to be my thing.
