July 4th 2019: A beginner's guide to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held every 4 July on Coney Island, New York City, since 1916 and is exactly what it sounds like: a competitive eating competition in which participants have 10 minutes to devour as many frankfurters and buns as they can. Nathan’s fame grew and the hot dog battle became one of the many attractions drawing people to Coney Island in the first half of the 20th century, when it was the biggest amusement park on the eastern seaboard then known as “the playground of the world”. Although that never happened, Coney Island is not what it was and the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest actually serves as an important tie to the beachfront's rich heritage. Miki Sudo, centre, and Sonya Thomas, right, compete In the men’s event, Californian Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, 34, has dominated since 2007 when he ended the reign of Japan’s Takeru “The Prince” Kobayashi, 40, AKA “The Tsunami”, who won every year between 2001 and 2006.