SI: Joey does 50 (actually 40) hot dogs in 9 minutes in training
The Scorecard section of this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated has a short article about Joey Chestnut which follows:
Joey says in a comment to this post that he was misquoted and that he can do 40 and not 50 hot dogs in a 9 minute training session. Joey also says the author excised his quotes praising other IFOCE members.
Weenie Boast
America’s new hot-dog-loving hope wants to restore the U.S. to competitive-eating glory.
Like any great sporting achievement, what Joey Chestnut pulled off on May 18 in Las Vegas required skill, drive and near-perfect-conditions. He had enough water. His body behaved exactly as he had hoped. And all his hot dogs were cooked exactly to his liking: not too hot, not too cold. In 12 minutes Chestnut, 22, a civil engineering major at San Jose State, downed 50 wieners at a qualifier for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4. Chestnut shattered the U.S. record by 13 and set up a Coney Island showdown with the world-record holder, Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi.
A victory by Chestnut would return glory to these shores after six consecutive Nathan’s wins by foreigners, a sore subject for U.S. competitive eaters. “This is America, where people love to eat,” says Chestnut, who finished third at Nathan’s in 2005. “For us to keep losing on a day with some meaning, it’s almost humiliating.”
Chestnut knows he must improve to beat Kobayashi. He says he’s increased his capacity and speed (he can now consume 50 hot dogs in nine minutes) by practicing with a kitchen timer. A win might help curry favor with U.S. competitors, who resent his quick success. “A lot of the veterans hate me,” says Chestnut, who began eating competitively in 2005. “I’m sure I would make a few new friends.” Maybe he could take them out to dinner. -A.D.
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Joey Chestnut said
June 18, 2006 @ 11:07 pm
Oohh shit… This article has a couple misquotes. It should have read 40 in 9 minutes. During the interview I also said many great things about veteran eaters who have given me guidance and camaraderie, it is a shame they were left out.
Rhonda Evans said
June 19, 2006 @ 7:23 am
Thanks for clarifying Joey. You are rapidly becoming one of the greatest CEs ever and best of luck on July 4th. Thanks for clarifying the facts of the matter in that SI article. I put little creedence in anything they say. The editors either misquote people, tell lies, or are totally unprofessional altogether.
A couple of years ago I picked up an issue (August or September 2004 I think) and read a piece where a reported literally called Sonya Thomas a liar when she stated that she ate a Club Sandwich later that day after her 32 dogs at Coney.