Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest: Miki Sudo Claims 10th Women's Title

Dental hygiene student Miki Sudo of Florida has won her 10th women's title at the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. On Thursday, Sudo consumed 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes and set a new world record for women. The 38-year-old defending champion last year won after eating 39 1/2 hot dogs, while her personal best is 48 1/2, the women's world record. She defeated 14 competitors from around the world, including 28-year-old rival Mayoi Ebihara of Japan.

Ebihara came in second after eating 37 hot dogs in 10 minutes. She was also the runner-up in 2023. Competitors have come from over a dozen states and five continents, with prospects from Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia and the Czech Republic vying for the coveted title in men's and women's divisions and $10,000 prize money. Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut, the reigning champion, did not participate in this year's event due to a sponsorship issue. Instead, he competed against soldiers at a U.S.

Army base in El Paso. The absence of Chestnut left the competition wide open for a new winner, with eaters from around the world showcasing their skills on America's Independence Day. Thousands of fans gathered at the original Nathan's location in Brooklyn's Coney Island to witness the spectacle. ESPN broadcasted the contest live, starting with the women's division at 11 a.m. ET, followed by the men's division at approximately 12:20 p.m.

Competitors from various states and countries battled it out for the prestigious title and prize money. Australian James Webb, known for his world record of eating 70 doughnuts in eight minutes, expressed confidence in a new champion emerging. Geoffrey Esper and Miki Sudo were highlighted by ESPN, with Esper aiming to improve on his second-place finish from last year and Sudo looking to maintain her dominance in the women's division. Despite initial controversy over a sponsorship deal, Major League Eating allowed Chestnut to compete after reconsidering the ban. The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest continues to be a thrilling and competitive event that captivates audiences worldwide.