2008 Nathan’s qualifiers truncated to 10 minutes
IFOCE.com reports that after discovery of “a document that suggests the original hot dog eating contest was 10 minutes in length”:
Major League Eating has elected to conduct all qualifying rounds of the 2008 multi-city Nathan’s Famous circuit tour as 10-minute competitions and may shift to this duration permanently, making it the official contest length.
While contests in the mid-1980s were 10 minutes (that length is mentioned in the New York Times 1986 contest report), contests in the first half of the 1970s ranged from 2 minutes to 5 minutes according to a Google News archive search. The July 4, 1974 contest, the only Independence Day contest found in the archives from that time period, was 3.5 minutes.
Results from the archive search are available after the jump:
[May 28, 1972] Nearby. at Nathan’s Famous, Jason Schechter, a Brooklyn College student, won the annual hot dog-eating contest by devouring 14 franks in three and a half minutes. His prize was a book of certificates for 40 more hot dogs. In Central Park. rowboats glided on the lake. softball 2teams crowded the …
From Yesterday Was for Traveling, Strolling, Eating… – New York Times ($$)[Sep 3, 1972] On eacli of the three previous ccasions in which prisoners Hotdog Eating Champ; Downs 12 in 5 Minutes NEW YORK (AP) Nathan’s 23rd annual hot dog eating contest separated the women from the boys at Coney Island Saturday. The woman went to the top. “I can’t believe I ale (hat whole said the …
From Star-News (Newspaper) – September 3, 1972,… – Star-News ($$)[Apr 8, 1974] Queens, ate nine hot dogs in 2’j minutes Sunday lo win the an- nual hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Conev Island. legal by the county because of budget limitations in the dis- trict. San Gabriel would have been required to pay a total of for bus transportation under the …
From Star-News (Newspaper) – April 8, 1974, Pasadena,… – Star-News ($$)[Jul 5, 1974] At Coney Island, Roberto Muriel of Brooklyn gobbled up 10 frankfurters in three and a half minutes to win the traditional Fourth of July Nathan’s Famous hot-dog eating contest. After receiving a trophy with a hot dog. thle 24-year-old said, “I still feel a little hungry.” t: Fo He :6 * . …
From Beach Throngs Seek Relief in 95 Heat; Nude… – New York Times ($$)[Aug 1, 1974] Frank-ly, he hates ’em ATLANTIC CITY. A Philadelphia man who doesn’t like frankfurters Wednesday claimed the world’s hot dog eating record, devouring 19 franks in five minutes. Jay Tierney. 18. an employe ‘at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog ‘Boardwalk stand, narrowly -defeated Carmen Cordero. …
From Daily Review, The (Newspaper) – August 1, 1974,… – Daily Review, The ($$)
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WingKong said (Registered December 19, 2006)
May 8, 2008 @ 11:21 pm
I hear they are moving the pitchers mound up to 56′ 4″ because too many people are hitting home runs…WTF.
Maybe it should be an eight minute contest so noone has to suffer through that last 2 minutes…Not to mention it’s basically being changed midstream…Didn’t Crazy legs Qualify in a 12 minute contest?
Anonymous said
May 8, 2008 @ 11:54 pm
Total fucking garbage! Change it back. This is gay.
Anonymous said
May 9, 2008 @ 1:33 am
I think we’ve all observed that it’s stupid to trust the media to accurately report any of the details of an eating contest. They constantly report eating statistics incorrectly. I wouldn’t trust them to have been correct back then either.
beautifulbrian said
May 9, 2008 @ 2:34 am
I guess we dont need bits and pieces any more . The party is right here. On another note great job Rich and good to see Ron back in action. Ron i urge you to continue in competiive eating and not let this contest be a one shot deal for you . Rich Shea was the emcee? i thought it was George .
Rhonda Evans said
May 9, 2008 @ 6:56 am
Changing the contest from 12 minutes to 10 is not about tradition or discovery of one or more documents. What it is about is securing TV/media rights, securing sponsors, and selling a product.
Last year we all saw Koby reverse on national television. Frankly, it was gross. If I think it was gross, and I’m a fan, most viewers are more likely to think the same (or worse) about such tasteless (no pun intended) activities that people “have the audacity to try to sell as a ‘sport’.”
Koby reversed because HE WAS FULL, and his stomach could not stretch any more. If you knock two minutes off the contest time, chances are extremely good that none of the mid-table eaters, where all the focus is, will reverse.
Can anyone not understand the general public being reluctant to purchase a product made/distributed by a company (Heinz, French’s, Nathan’s) who supports eating so much that you throw up? That’s like saying, “Nathan’s hot dogs are so good they’ll make you puke.” The same line of reasoning applies for media outlets that air CE events.
I can easily imagine the IFOCE being forced into taking quick, decisive action to ensure that this will not happen again. I would have done precisely the same thing. They have no choice, and neither does anyone who genuinely wants to see CE enter mainstream America as an accepted (or a less rejected) pastime.
Rhonda Evans said
May 9, 2008 @ 7:13 am
In the last two minutes of a traditional 12-minute HDB contest, the pace of eating has slowed significantly for all eaters, with only the very best three or four being able to down more than three a minute. Because of that I would think most all eaters will applaud this move to 10 minutes. It’s like two minutes less of tormenting the body. I can understand Joey not liking the change, however.
This certainly levels the playing field between Koby and Joey. Given 10 minutes, Koby will not reverse, and will eat in excess of 50 HDBs. Joey had a definite edge against Koby, given his much larger torso and room for increased stomach expansion.
Now things are more even.
Rhonda Evans said
May 9, 2008 @ 7:45 am
Brian, there’s certainly no party here, and it is NOT a replacement for bits and pieces. Stay original with your thoughts. That’s what people (I) want. I don’t go to BB.com to read about eatfeats, I go there to read Brian’s musings–what does BRIAN think (rhetorical).
Mega Munch said
May 9, 2008 @ 8:49 am
I’m a baseball fan, which makes me a numbers guy. As such, I don’t like this new time change because it will have an impact on the HDB records. Now we’ll have to recognize a 12-minute record AND a 10 minute record (which will be less than the 12 minute record, obviously).
I’m not sure I agree with you Rhonda about the last two minutes contributing to reversals. I think the last two minutes of ANY contest are reversal risks because eaters are pushing themselves so hard to win during that time (especially the great competitors who are being pushed by other great competitors). Whether it’s 8 minutes, 10 minutes or 12 minutes, eaters will still get full and will still push their stomachs to the very edge of their capacity.
Gentleman Joe said
May 9, 2008 @ 8:54 am
BB,
Keep Bits & Pieces, its consistently the best reason to click on your site.
Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)
May 9, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Rhonda,
While I am not happy about the reduction in time, your speculation is the first that makes sense to me and likely the reason. New eaters will benefit the most as they mostly stop eating by 8 minutes anyway. The midranked are conditioned to trudge through those last few minutes, and the top can still slam them down. This will close the gaps we’ve worked hard to create between our ranks.
Dispite how miserable those last two minutes are, like the Pledge Master at a Fraternity, I regret that the future eaters wont know that pain. The last two minutes is when Champions are forged. When those who have the will, eat on.
beautifulbrian said
May 9, 2008 @ 9:33 am
Most hot dog eaters that are prone to hitting the wall after consuming 12 or 13 at the halfway point usually cannot continue on so in effect the two minute loss means nothing as far as they are concerned. You can catch all the belches you want and it still wont make a difference for them. I happen to be one of them so i can attest. 12 minutes does benefit the 20plus dog eaters that are able to forge ahead after hitting the perenial wall of frustration . Very similar to 15 round championship boxing which eventually was cut to 12 rds in recent years.
Rhonda Evans said
May 9, 2008 @ 9:59 am
Mega, the focus on Nathans will be on the two or three centerpieces–Koby, Joey, Pat–neither of which will be able to eat enough hot dogs in 10 minutes to reach capacity.
Anyway, my main purpose was to state what I know to be a very plausible reason for the two-minute reduction in contest length.
The rest is pure conjecture on my part, and surely any eater like yourself is better poised to make more accurate statements about fundamentals of CE than some armchair gurgitator like me. Anyway, I’m reading everyone’s posts to learn more.
Carey said
May 9, 2008 @ 11:32 am
There are two thoughts as to what causes reversals here. Capacity and intensity. I think both are valid contributers. The reduction of length to 10 minutes won’t effect the final stretch intensity, but it will have an effect on the capacity contributers.
I think Rhonda has a good point as to why the time was changed, and i think it could be the actual reason it was decided on.
In any case, it is definitely not because some article was found stating that the original contest was 10 minutes long. That is just a cover story. The original contest didn’t have anyone dunking either, why not employ that rule?
The_Hangman said (Registered August 30, 2006)
May 9, 2008 @ 11:58 am
1974 the contest was 3.5 minutes. 1972 the contest was 5 minutes.
Why not go back to those times and then toss out all the other records that came in with times more than 5 minutes. Or at least put an asterix by each contest longer than those times from 1972 or 1974 and only count the shorter times as the official records?
One thing about this suggestion is that the Hall of Fame board at Coney would need to be painted over and only allow the winners with 10 minutes or less.
One last thing, Crazy Legs won at Saratoga Springs in 12 minutes. Should his win stand or with the new time in the midstream of this contest should Saratoga Springs be told their contest did not count because theirs was 12 minutes? Should his win in 12 minutes or all the other winners of 10 minutes have an asterix in this 2008 contest?
With the lower time, 12 down to 10, now ESPN can sell more ads to help pay for airing the contest. It will also give a few seconds more for the winner to be interviewed on TV after the contest.
Rhonda Evans said
May 9, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
Hangman, they have to honor/grandfather Legs’ victory, since it was before the new time limit took effect. To do otherwise would be totally unfair, and it would be a total waste of time, money, and effort. by all involved.
Anonymous said
May 9, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
Hangman, are you insane? Where do you get your ideas? You’re a lunatic.
anonymous said
May 9, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Hangman CLC will get the benefit of the doubt regardless of any changes the ifoce decides to make.
HUNGMAN said
May 9, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
What you don’t know is that the Hangman won that contest back in 1974 and has many reasons to put his record back as the HDB ONLY RECORD. He has the evidence, he has the film and if you don’t agree with him, his wife will come on here and tell you how wrong you are!
Step back all of America because the Hangman is the world’s finest eater. I would be honored to be at the same table as this eating legend.
Carry on Hangman, carry on.
the vacuum said
May 9, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Has anyone seen this ” letter” ?? besides a Shea
Ivan Edelman said
May 9, 2008 @ 5:38 pm
No.
i.e. it’s invisible
i.e. it doesn’t exist
i.e. it’s a lie
i.e. fuck 10 minutes
Anonymous said
May 9, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
Nathan’s is afraid that the image of their nasty dogs will be tarnished if top eaters push them selves too far. for the last two years koby has reversed in the final minutes. Nathan’s has invested a ton of money in Koby and they do not want to see him puke away their profits in the final two minutes.
Rhoda_Evans said (Registered May 10, 2008)
May 10, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I agree with Tim Janus’ alter ego Rhonda Evans, lowering the time does even the playing field.
annnoumous said
May 11, 2008 @ 2:14 am
the vacuum said,
May 9, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Has anyone seen this ” letter” ?? besides a Shea
————————————-
It does not matter if anyone else has seen it or not. Just take our word for itr they say. Remember last year when they bragged about the great champion that was to be at Coney.
Copied from an article on Eatfeats:
P. Theyagarjan, a 7′8″ chicken tiki masala and hot dog eating contest winner from India,
————————————————-
No one saw him then and no one to this date has ever seen this winner from India. Just like you will never see the letter. Unless they are creating a letter as we speak?
HUNGMAN said
May 11, 2008 @ 8:16 am
AIN’T IT TRUE
ROFLMAO
Carey said
May 11, 2008 @ 9:05 am
when are the scripts going to come out for the next qualifier? I want to read ahead to find out what drama is going to unfold so I can go watch if it is interesting.
Ivan, that’s cool how you like to use your initials whenever you want to make the same point in a different way. I think I will use that. i.e. I think you just started a trend..
beautifulbrian said
May 11, 2008 @ 9:27 am
I was there in 1974 with my mom dad and sisters . I remember vaguely but the contest was more than 3.5 min . I wanted to compete but my dad wouldnt let me because of my age and concerned about my saftey . I remember the dude running the show didnt care how old you were if you wanted to compete. He was as good as George maybe better. He knew how to promote the contest to its fullest. Back in those days they would hold the event whenever they wanted. and it would never fall directly on July 4th . All they cared about was filling up the table so anyone that came off the street was welcome to compete. The best human interest story was this 9yr old kid that won the event in 1976 shows up for the civil service contest in either 2003 or 2004 with his entire family. He became a nyc police officer but it was mind boggling to see him compete some 28 years later at the Seaport. Yes i did beat him that day but as usual we all got trounced by the Godfather