This year's July 4th hot dog eating contest at Nathan's.
July 4, 2000
Japan Native Wins Hot Dog Contest
Filed at 6:12 p.m. EDT
By The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -- Kazatuyo Arai, pencil-slim at 5 foot 6 and 100 pounds,
led a Japanese sweep of Tuesday's annual hot dog eating contest at Nathan's
in Coney Island.
Arai, 32, of Saitama, Japan, ate a record 25 hot dogs during the 12-minute
contest. He was the 1997 champion with 24.
No. 2 was 24-year-old Misao Fujita, who ate 24 franks. Their teammate,
22-year-old Takako Akasaka, the lone female contestant, placed third with
22.
Last year's winner, Steve Keiner, 51, of Egg Harbor, N.J., was far back in
the pack with a mere 15 hot dogs.
Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held for 85
years on the Fourth of July.
Copyright 2000 The New York Times Company |
