Miki Sudo was named the women’s champion of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Tuesday.
Reigning champ: The Japanese American professional eater finished 39.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest held in Coney Island, Brooklyn. She beat Mayoi Ebihara, who placed second after finishing 33.5 hot dogs.
“Thirty-nine is a lower number, though, I’m sorry, guys,” Sudo reportedly told the crowd.
Sudo currently holds the women’s world record for most hot dogs consumed in 10 minutes — in 2020, she managed to finish 48.5 hot dogs.
She is currently No. 3 on the Major League Eating (MLE) ranking. The MLE sanctions annual eating competitions, including Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The competition: In order to compete in the popular hot dog eating contest, aspiring participants must be at least 18 years old. They must also go through a qualifying event held either in May or June before the actual competition.
First-place winners receive a cash prize of $10,000 each, while second placers receive $5,000. Meanwhile, third placers receive $2,500, fourth placers receive $1,500 and fifth placers receive $1,000.
Other competitions: Besides Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which has been held annually since 1972, Sudo has won other eating competitions, including the World Kimchi Eating Championship in 2013 and the Foxwoods World Turkey Eating Championship in 2015.
