Newcomer Challenges Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

July 3, 2017

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Every year, thousands of people go to Coney Island in New York City to watch the weird and wacky sport of competitive hot dog eating at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. We’re talking upwards of 30,000+ people, all clamoring to be a part of the annual festivities, watching people chew, gulp, and try not to heave to win the eating contest and be crowned… King of the Weiner? Meat Champion? One thing’s for sure: these competitors are going to eat to win.

Out of the many competitors, a teensy woman from New Jersey has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Dr. Rene Rovtar, a seemingly mild-mannered superintendent of schools, has procured a spot among other heavy-hitting competitive eaters at the Circle K Speed Street qualifier, which was held in May in Charlotte, NC.

Here she is interviewed before the qualifier by Major League Eating, the governing body of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit:

Rene finished 10 dogs and 10 buns in the qualifier, not too shabby for someone with such a small frame, but nowhere near the heaviest hitters in the hot dog eating competition.

Last year, the reigning champ, Joey Chestnut, finished 70 dogs and 70 buns in 10 minutes to not only clinch the contest, but set a new July 4th world record! His first win was in 2007, and has won every year except for one since then.

Here is more of his story and rise to meat victory:

The fierce competition heats up with 18 women and 18 men, eating hot dogs and buns in whatever way gets them down most efficiently. For Dr. Rene, her tactic involves breaking the dog in half before eating, then saturating the bun in strawberry lemonade to make sure she’s consuming at top speed.

Other popular secrets of competitive eaters:

Increase stomach capacity by drinking water. LOTS of water.
Strengthen jaw muscles by chewing gum.
Controlling breathing while eating helps avoid fatigue and wasted time.
Stay in shape (theory: fat takes up space that food could take up)
Specialize in categories – Capacity, Technique, Spicy, etc.
Use liquids solely for lubricating foods
NO CONDIMENTS
Try “Chipmunking” – getting every corner of your mouth filled before the contest ends.