Women’s Division at Nathan’s announced
Richard Shea announces in a myFoxNY article that Nathan’s hot dog eating contest will have a women’s division in this year’s contest. No details about the division are provided (purse, qualification information, time of contest) (Shea is wrong in claiming that men have only won the Fourth of July contest; Birgit Felden won in 1984)
update A page on IFOCE.com has more information:
- The women’s contest purse will be $5000, a quarter of the $20000 awarded by previous Nathan’s finals
- The top woman in each qualifier will receive a berth in the women’s finals if she eats at least 10 hot dogs
- The women’s contest will take place before the men’s contest on July 4. (It is not mentioned if it will be televised on ESPN.)
update #2 George Shea has offered 1984 winner Birgit Felden a berth in the women’s finals if he can locate her. Here is her linkedin page.
update #3 The Atlantic has a blog entry about the difference between the women’s ($5000) and men’s ($20000) purse.
Assuming the women’s first place prize is at least $2,500, Sonya Thomas would probably win more money in the women’s division. She has won prizes of $1500, $1000 and $1000 in the four years that cash prizes have been awarded.
There were three women who broke the 10 HDB threshold needed to qualify last year (Sonya Thomas, Juliet Lee, Larell Marie Mele). It will be interesting to see the size the field for the women’s division.
Melody Andorfer ate 12 hot dogs in five minutes to win the 1972 Nathan’s Labor Day weekend contest, a much better performance than Birgit Felden’s.
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anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 8:22 am
Womans division? Does this apply to qualifiers or finals? If its finals its sure going to be a hell of a lot of fun watching Sonya kick Juliets behind because the chances of any other female eater winning a nathans qualifier is slim and none
would this work? said
April 20, 2011 @ 9:23 am
Seriously how is this going to work? Sonya and Juliet should be offended by this because they have proven time and again that they are able to compete with the big boys. They will never will win but they do not need a separate division to prove they deserve to be on stage going toe to toe with joey.
I think said
April 20, 2011 @ 9:45 am
I think sonya would be overjoyed to have a first place trophy for nathans
This is stupid! said
April 20, 2011 @ 9:49 am
Sonya, Juliette, even Stephanie kick the crap out of half the guys. Why separate them? Segregating the women is a waste of time, money, & hype. I WANT to see them go head to head with the big boys!
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 10:12 am
Sonya deserves a trophy, a belt, or something for the many, many years of being the top female. I’m not sure if she will be insulted or thrilled. Anyway, this seems like a tactic that should have been used a decade ago. Had that been the case there might be enough women in competitive eating to give Sonya a real challenge.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 10:14 am
Very smart move for Sheas. Way to reinvent. Nathans is boring. Lots of women can compete, play up the beauties and beasts etc. Brilliant I might say.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 10:26 am
Here’s a nice story http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hot_dog_eating_contest_gal_vanized_T4x9hazg9cpa2QWKrtEhQN
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 10:36 am
Sonya doesn’t practice. Juliet does. I give the edge to Juliet this year.
SPBBBBMBBSTBarlow said
April 20, 2011 @ 10:57 am
…….great idea, now when’s the “Senior” Division start??
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:06 am
This is garbage.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:07 am
This is the stupidest thing ever.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:16 am
This really just cheapens the whole contest. First, it implies that women can’t eat well. Second, it implies that men should make amends for the dearth of women on the circuit, which is more likely a reflection of their marginal interest in pro eating more than it is a reflection of their ability. Third, it’s going to reward a lot of of bad eaters of both genders: women will qualify who wouldn’t even stand a chance of qualify otherwise; and men who don’t deserve to qualify will qualify because the women will qualify separately.
anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:19 am
Very stupid idea. The naysayers will have a field day with this one. To watch a sidebar prelude to the main event in which the winner (sonya) has gotten beaten in the finals seven 7yrs straight by male competition is totally ludicrious. If she had some serious female competition to deal with then i could see this working
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:28 am
Do we even think this part will air on TV? The audience could barely stand to watch 12 minutes of eating. Still it can barely stand to watch 10 minutes of eating. And now we’re going to ask them to watch 20 minutes of eating, 10 minutes of which will be minor league ball? How many puns do Rich Shea and the other guy in the booth think we can stomach?
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:33 am
What is with you “people”? Argue the yes and no of separating women and men all you wish, this is going to be fabulous for getting new fans, lots and lots of them. It is great for everyone, fans, eaters, to be eaters. Time to change the same old game which has been boring, boring on ESPN.
I think said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:35 am
to this is stupid you said head
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:39 am
What’s wrong with YOU, 11:33?
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:48 am
Does this exclude presently signed female MLE members?
KevinRoss said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:53 am
Wow, craziness. So there will be one chick from each qualifier who gets free trip to NYC? Women (sonya, juliet, torres, etc) have proven gender isn’t a factor in how much one can eat already. . .but women overall have less interest in this stuff. So I understand trying to change things so Nathan’s isn’t as much of a “sausagefest”.
But sheesh if they can afford to send a ton of no-name female eaters to NYC, surely they can afford to send a few more wildcards so good eaters can get to go to NYC as well. I mean, it seems like with the international qualifiers and female qualifers, there is going to be a ton of 10-12 hot dog eaters getting to the main event. And there will be scores of 20+ hot dog eaters who get to watch it on TV. I know that ratings/spectacle is the primary concern, but talent should count for something as well. This is getting lame. . .
anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:53 am
This is like Kobe 2001-06 pre chestnut years. The only thing interesting about the contest will be the over and under.I wonder if Sonya complained about removing the VA qualifier and this is her big birthday present in return
Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)
April 20, 2011 @ 11:54 am
The Sheas prove time and again to be masters of bringing attention to the contest. Even if this is only for a year, it opens the possibility that more women will try out at the qualifiers. That is a very good thing, we need more women in this sport! Lets not criticize too much, and just enjoy the ride.
NReda said
April 20, 2011 @ 12:00 pm
It’s an interesting concept, but I feel that holding the women’s event earlier implies that it’s not main-event status.
Like many of the previous commenters noted, you’ll end up with a parallel situation to the men’s event… a few dominant female eaters, a large field of people who won’t eat very much, and a potentially lop-sided result. The best female eaters can hold their own against the guys anyway.
Then again, it’s a way of injecting new ideas into a retried format. They gotta find some way to shake things up. With Koby out of the picture, it’s damn likely we will see a blowout with Joey trouncing the field by a wide margin and without much pressure. A separate women’s championship allows the spotlight to shine on another person as well.
The only thing I wonder about is how the female eaters are going to react to this.. and will they be given the opportunity to compete in the male event if they so choose.
A new star may be born this year!
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 12:02 pm
I’m not surprised that Juliet would participate in this charade. But I am surprised that Sonya would. I thought she was courageous and honorable.
turned on said
April 20, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
To hell with solomon and picnic, hopefully this means that Bree Olsen and some of her friends come to showcase their deep throat techniques!
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 12:22 pm
This makes things better for the guys too. It gives men who couldn’t whip Sonya and Juliet a chance to place higher and possible win a few dollars. At least people won’t be able to laugh at men who get beat by two women.
anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 12:24 pm
What happened with the latest shea brainstorm bedbug busters? Was that a big bed bug bust?
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 12:33 pm
Hell I would think people would be happy about this. I mean really outside of Juliet and Sonya how many women would be able to do 20 HDB? Two maybe three. This gives the sport some eye candy and gets people to watch. I just wish i knew a gal that could down 10+ to get the trip to NYC.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 12:35 pm
Maybe there should be non-Japanese and non-white divisions too because they’re the only people that have ever won it. Or maybe there should be a non-Joey-Chesnut division.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 12:36 pm
Anybody who thinks this is stupid is either stupid or jealous.
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 12:39 pm
I did not see the 10+ part on the link but are they covering travel expenses also?
Rob Blatt from LACE said
April 20, 2011 @ 1:28 pm
Does this eliminate women eaters from the main competition? I couldn’t find that info anywhere.
A. Nonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 1:49 pm
It says a women’s contest will be before the men’s contest, Rob – so, there will be separate contests, no co-ed event.
SPBBBBMBBSTBarlow said
April 20, 2011 @ 1:52 pm
I’m happy for anybody that gets to go to the big show…..somebody like Larell Marie brings a lot of enthusiasm and fun to our sport – great that she will get to be there IN the mix!!
Wonder? said
April 20, 2011 @ 2:03 pm
How about a Man that had a sex change.Will they be able to compete?
A. Nonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 2:04 pm
Here’s Stephanie Wu’s chance to put up or shut up – all she has to do is have the highest women’s count at the Hawthorne qualifier. And yes, the 10+ rule should be in effect for ANYONE to get the trip to Coney.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 2:05 pm
Now that is an interesting question. Suppose Sonya doesn’t want to be with the women but wants to be with all eaters.
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
Sonya is not that dumb. She will dominate any other female out there and get the cash.
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
The top woman in each qualifier will receive a berth in the women’s finals if she eats at least 10 hot dogs
where is that info?
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 2:24 pm
nevermind. one day i will learn to read.
anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 2:28 pm
Sonya vs nobody is comprable to Beautifulbrian going up against stinky miernicki, stu birdie, garbage gutt glum Adam da bomb & Phill Lipper with Lipper being Seiken only real competition in the event . Lipper did win a Nathans qualfier in 2001 didnt he?
Still... said
April 20, 2011 @ 2:31 pm
really don’t get it yet, do you? Comments that include phrases like “I thought…” and “…doesn’t want” just show how clueless you are. There’s no requirement for you to think or concern about what you or anyone else wants in this. You perform and do what the sponsor wants – period. If you want to get paid, shut up and get with the program. If you don’t like it, feel free to watch ESPN from your couch on the 4th.
A. Nonymous Fan said
April 20, 2011 @ 2:42 pm
I agree with A. Nonymous
NReda said
April 20, 2011 @ 2:52 pm
I’ll probably catch hell for this comment, but it almost looks like an attempt to save a sinking ship.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
Perhaps it is, and a brilliant one at that.
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 3:18 pm
How so?
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 3:21 pm
If the biggest ship in the fleet is sinking, maybe the war is already lost.
Damon Wells said
April 20, 2011 @ 3:58 pm
How is trying a new idea a bad thing?
We all know Joey will dominate the men’s and Sonya will dominate the women’s. This at least ads some excitement to an hour long show, I mean 50 minutes of filler for a 10minute contest that no longer features Kobi wasn’t nearly as interesting last year, we can all agree on that right? This adds interest to the sport and may encourage women eaters to join when they wouldn’t have before because they were too intimidated by all the men.
Most title fights have entertaining undercards, so what’s the difference here? I think if you’re a true fan of competitive eating, I don’t see how you’d not think this is a good idea. I’m actually really looking forward to seeing a table full of women eaters.
My 2 cents.
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 4:01 pm
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Nathans-Famous-Announces-Womens-Only-Hot-Dog-Eating-Contest-120280554.html
Do you really think NBC or any media would be interested in this year’s Nathan’s same old, same old Joey Chestnut etc.? Brilliant again.
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 4:08 pm
yeah i would guess the crowd was small last year at nathans
Why Not? said
April 20, 2011 @ 5:05 pm
Let’s build upon that last idea… develop an entire competitive eating program for Nathans based upon having different cards. You can have a team event, makers vs eaters, pros vs joes, handicap matches…. make it interesting!
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
April 20, 2011 @ 6:08 pm
First blood match?
anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 6:18 pm
What about a mediocre eaters league where eaters don’t have to be subjected to competing against top ten competition all the time. Kind of frustrating watching them walk away with prize money while we get shit
HOLY COW! said
April 20, 2011 @ 6:37 pm
“The lady most favored to become the first women’s champion is Sonya “The Black Widow†Thomas. Ranked number four in the world by Major League Eating”- ifoce.com
WHAT IF SONYA, JULIET AND/OR LARELL “WANT” TO COMPETE WITH THE MEN?? WILL THEY BE DENIED TO COMPETE WITH THEM IF THEY WISH TO??
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
Dancing Midget Transvestites Match and they can eat Nathans Famous Vienna Sausages, haha
Anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 7:07 pm
MLE eaters posting here under their own names are few. Larell, USMale and Joe and Joe M (former), Steakbellie, Beautiful Brian. Any more? Lots of complaints here, not very enticing for fans like me. Good comments and thanks sometimes come from other MLE eaters but it is rare. Steak and Larell are good “guys”…….now guy and gal. Eat it, this is going to be a great year for Nathans fans and eaters.
Larell Marie Mele said
April 20, 2011 @ 7:25 pm
Anon 8:22 – Lol, don’t be a doubter….I have every intention of winning a qualifier this year 🙂 Nunonabun – here’s a gal right here!!!! Kevin, geez am I feeling the love ahahahaha – no name women, huh? Thx pal 🙂 Paul – FINALLY, some luv lolll 🙂 I’m sure I’m the minority here but of course I am uber excited over this news. Whereas I never would have a chance of EVER getn to Coney Island, ‘cept if everyone at the qualifier I ate at was to reverse at the same time except me lollll, now it’s a dream that could actually happen.
KevinRoss said
April 20, 2011 @ 7:58 pm
Wasn’t referring to you Larell. . .when I say “no name women” I meant literally someone that nobody has ever heard of.
KevinRoss said
April 20, 2011 @ 8:00 pm
BTW, I’m not saying having more women at Nathans is a bad thing. Just that it seems that if this can happen, why not allow more good eaters to the table as well via more wildcards. . .or have a pre-final event for eaters who qualify under 30 hot dogs to give them a little glory/acknowledgment.
Larell Marie Mele said
April 20, 2011 @ 8:16 pm
Thank you Steakbellie!!!!
Larell Marie Mele said
April 20, 2011 @ 8:41 pm
Kevin, u know I’m just messn w/ya….couldn’t resist. I take NOTHING personally 🙂 I hear where ya coming from tho!
anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 8:41 pm
Do we need to look at one foot in the grave Paul page doing co co mmentary with rich shea another year? Is welcome super Paul or Stephanie Wu anytime
Matt Cohen said (Registered April 12, 2010)
April 20, 2011 @ 9:20 pm
This is a great idea.
Hopefully adding more seats at the mens table?
Bringing the current women out into a proper spotlight!
Bringing out new women challengers that otherwise would have not bothered to try to qualify.
All good things for the sports growth in eater and fan base!
A real kicker would be if the womens winners total is higher than the mens winner, They switch prizes!
Matt "Mega Toad" Stonie said (Registered June 22, 2010)
April 20, 2011 @ 9:24 pm
I like the new thoughts of change coming from the MLE, trying out new stuff it always good….
By starting a womens division, i think it’ll difinitly give more women the chance to make a name for themselves, just the same as women have in other sports…
The only problem i see is i dont see how they will be able to fill the table with eaters.. im sure the fact that CE seems to be mostly males is simply because males take more interest in it….
So doing something like a womens competition will eather result in a near empty table, or an even more drastic slaughter of rookies then we are use to seeing at nathens with Joey, the results will be like a couple 25-40’s vs a mass of 10’s
I think the idea is there, it’s just hard to make it happen, so we’ll just have to wait and see how it goes in a couple months eh? =]
anonymous said
April 20, 2011 @ 11:34 pm
If Steakbellie wears his dress and shaves his armpits, can he compete at the women’s table?
Hahahaha - said
April 21, 2011 @ 11:56 am
The MLE = Fucking clown shoes
the great gavonne said
April 21, 2011 @ 2:34 pm
Adding a women’s division is just a desperate attempt by the Sheas to try & pump some life into this dying farce.Yes,last year’s crowd was small & it will be even smaller this year-as people become more educated & evolved the interest in this pathetic non-sport is waning fast.Even the staged Kobe gimmick will not help to bring in more fans.The reasons,besides the obvious health risks is CE is overpopulated with individuals who are mentally unbalanced & morally corrupt(like US MULE,Menchetti,Jesus-freak Lolly Marie& the 2 biggest nut-jobs Seiken & Arnie”ChoWhore” Chapman).For every good guy like Booker there are a dozen whack-jobs.CE is full of creeps,pyschos,stalkers,junkies & worse.By it’s very nature it attracts the worst elements of society.
ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)
April 21, 2011 @ 10:13 pm
There’s also a negative side.
(Apologies to Hunter S. Thompson and whoever appended to his quote)
Larell Marie Mele said
April 22, 2011 @ 5:37 am
OJ – lolllll