The American Miki Sudo has set a new world record for women in the hotdog eating competition. The 38-year-old wolfed down 51 hotdogs in ten minutes at the annual US National Day event on Thursday. This was the tenth time that the dental hygienist in training had won the traditional hotdog eating contest organized by the Nathan's Famous restaurant chain. Patrick Bertoletti won the men's competition for the first time with 58 hotdogs.
Sudo said after the eating contest that she was just happy to have won a tenth pink championship belt. She had also won last year, but then with "only" 39 1/2 hot dogs.
This time, she prevailed against 13 challengers. The 28-year-old Japanese woman Mayoi Ebihara came second, as she did last year, managing 37 hot dogs in ten minutes.
The men's world record is 76 hot dogs in ten minutes. The record was achieved by Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, who has dominated the hotdog eating competition for years. He did not compete this year due to a sponsorship dispute, clearing the way for Bertoletti.
The latter also prevailed against 13 opponents and beat his previous personal best of 55 hotdogs in ten minutes. "Because Joey wasn't there, I knew I had a chance," said Bertoletti, who comes from Chicago.