Editing Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest (section)

==History==
The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held at the [[Nathan's Famous|original location]] on [[Coney Island]] most years since about 1972, usually in conjunction with [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]].<ref name="history">{{cite web| url=http://shop.nathansfamous.com/famousfacts| title=Famous Facts| publisher=Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs| access-date=December 11, 2006| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080803005044/http://shop.nathansfamous.com/famousfacts |archive-date = August 3, 2008}}</ref> As Coney Island is often linked with recreational activities of the summer season, several early contests were held on other holidays associated with summer besides Independence Day; for example, multiple contests in the 1970s were scheduled on [[Memorial Day]]<ref name="New York Times">{{cite web |author=Robert D. McFadden |date=May 28, 1972 |title=Yesterday Was for Traveling, Strolling, Eating and Relaxing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/05/28/archives/yesterday-was-for-traveling-strolling-eating-and-relaxing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809132126/http://www.nytimes.com/1972/05/28/archives/yesterday-was-for-traveling-strolling-eating-and-relaxing.html |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |access-date=February 11, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="New York Times no. 2" /><ref name="Ellensburg (Wash.) Daily Record (p. 11)" /> or [[Labor Day]].<ref name="St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press (sec. A, p. 2)">{{cite web |date=September 3, 1972 |title=105-Pound Girl Eats 12 Hot Dogs to Win Contest |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AaheAAAAIBAJ&dq=melody%20andorfer&pg=5416%2C216648 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519041830/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AaheAAAAIBAJ&dq=melody%20andorfer&pg=5416,216648 |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=October 17, 2020 |work=St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press (sec. A, p. 2)}}</ref>

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the competition was dominated by [[Japanese people|Japanese]] contestants, particularly Kobayashi, who won six consecutive contests from 2001 to 2006. In 2001, Kobayashi transformed the competition and the world of competitive eating by downing 50 hot dogs—smashing the previous record of 25.5. The Japanese eater introduced advanced eating and training techniques that shattered previous [[competitive eating]] world records. The rise in popularity of the event coincided with the surge in popularity of the worldwide competitive eating circuit.

In recent years, a considerable amount of pomp and circumstance have surrounded the days leading up to the event, which has become an annual [[spectacle]] of [[Sports entertainment|competitive entertainment]]. The event is presented on an extravagant stage complete with colorful live announcers and an overall party atmosphere. The day before the contest is a public weigh-in with the [[mayor of New York City]]. Some competitors don flamboyant costumes and/or [[makeup]], while others may promote themselves with eating-related [[List of competitive eaters|nicknames]]. On the morning of the event, they have a heralded arrival to Coney Island on the "bus of champions" and are called to the stage individually during introductions. In 2013, six-time defending champion [[Joey Chestnut]] was escorted to the stage in a [[Litter (vehicle)|sedan chair]].

The competition draws many spectators and worldwide press coverage. In 2004 a three-story-high "Hot Dog Eating Wall of Fame" was erected at the site of the annual contest. The wall lists past winners, and has a digital clock which counts down the minutes until the next contest. In 2007, an estimated 50,000 came out to witness the event. Despite substantial damage suffered at [[Nathan's Famous|Nathan's]] due to [[Hurricane Sandy]] in October 2012, the location was repaired, reopened, and the 2013 event was held as scheduled.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nathans-famous-reopens-on-coney-island-in-time-for-memorial-day-weekend/ Nathan's Famous Reopens On Coney Island In Time For Memorial Day Weekend] - [[CBS News]] New York</ref>

ESPN has long enjoyed solid ratings from its broadcast of the Hot Dog Eating Contest on Independence Day, and on July 1, 2014, the network announced it had extended its agreement with [[Major League Eating]] and would broadcast the contest through 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-espn-hot-dog-eating-contest-20140701,0,7676919.story |title=ESPN Locks In Hot Dog Eating Contest through 2024 |publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=July 1, 2014 |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727175608/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-espn-hot-dog-eating-contest-20140701,0,7676919.story |url-status=live }}</ref> The most recent broadcast rights deal, announced in November 2022, will keep the contest airing on ESPN through 2029.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Manzo |first1=John R. |title=ESPN & the International Federation of Competitive Eating Reach Extension on Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/11/espn-the-international-federation-of-competitive-eating-reach-extension-on-nathans-famous-hot-dog-eating-contest/ |website=espnpressroom.com |date=November 21, 2022 |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

<!--===Specific competitions===-->
In 2003 former [[National Football League]] player [[William Perry (American football)|William "The Refrigerator" Perry]] competed as a celebrity contestant. Though he had won a qualifier by eating twelve hot dogs, he ate only four at the contest, stopping after just five minutes.<ref>{{cite web |title=14 Delicious Facts About Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest |url=https://asliceofbrooklyn.com/14-delicious-facts-about-nathans-hot-dog-eating-contest/ |website=asliceofbrooklyn.com |date=June 30, 2016 |publisher=A Slice of Brooklyn |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601210714/https://asliceofbrooklyn.com/14-delicious-facts-about-nathans-hot-dog-eating-contest/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The celebrity contestant experiment has not been held since.

At the 2007 contest, the results were delayed to review whether defending champion Kobayashi had vomited (also known as a "Roman method incident" or "reversal of fortune") in the final seconds of regulation. Such an incident results in the disqualification of the competitor under the rules of the IFOCE. The judges ruled in Kobayashi's favor. A similar incident occurred involving Kobayashi in 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/rovell/020704.html |title=ESPN.com - Page2 - Accusations hurled at hot dog contest |publisher=Espn.go.com |access-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107143559/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/rovell/020704.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in a victory over [[Eric Booker|Eric "Badlands" Booker]].

On July 4, 2011, [[Sonya Thomas]] became the champion of the first Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest for Women.<ref>{{cite web |author=Whitney Holtzman |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/features/story/_/id/6721754/nathan-evens-playing-field |title=Nathan's evens playing field |publisher=ESPN |date=July 2, 2011 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704183349/http://www.espn.com/espnw/features/article/6721754/nathan-evens-playing-field |url-status=live }}</ref> Previously, women and men had competed against each other, except for one Memorial Day competition held in 1975.<ref name="New York Times no. 2">{{cite web |author=Howard Thompson |date=May 26, 1975 |title=Going Out Guide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/26/archives/going-out-guide.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519041839/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/26/archives/going-out-guide.html |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=February 11, 2017 |work=The New York Times (p. 6)}}</ref> Eating 40 hot dogs in 10 minutes, Thomas earned the inaugural [[Bismuth subsalicylate|Pepto-Bismol]]-sponsored pink belt and won $10,000.<ref name="First Nathan Champ for Women">{{cite web
 |title      = Sonya Thomas, The First Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Women's Champion!
 |url        = http://gothamist.com/2011/07/04/first_nathans_hot_dog_eating_contes.php
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171106064124/http://gothamist.com/2011/07/04/first_nathans_hot_dog_eating_contes.php
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-date = November 6, 2017
 |publisher  = Gothamist
 |author     = Jen Chung
 |access-date = July 4, 2011
}}</ref>

In 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the contest was held without spectators at an indoor location in [[Williamsburg, Brooklyn]], and only five eaters competed in each category instead of the usual 15.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://6abc.com/nathans-hot-dog-contest-eating-2020-hotdog/6297799/ |title=Joey Chestnut, Miki Sudo win Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, break records |date=July 4, 2020 |publisher=[[WPVI-TV]] |access-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704184823/https://6abc.com/nathans-hot-dog-contest-eating-2020-hotdog/6297799/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The 2020 Hot Dog Eating Contest {{!}} Nathan's Famous|url=https://nathansfamous.com/hot-dog-eating-contest/|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=nathansfamous.com|postscript=. The background of some pictures indicate this competition occurred in Williamsburg, Brooklyn|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812000018/https://www.nathansfamous.com/hot-dog-eating-contest/|url-status=live}}</ref>  In 2021, the event was held at [[Maimonides Park]], with a reduced crowd of 7,000.

=== Competitor bans ===
Kobayashi has not competed in the contest since 2009 due to his refusal to sign an exclusive contract with Major League Eating, which is the current sanctioning body of the contest. In 2010, he was arrested by police after attempting to jump on the stage after the contest was over and disrupt the proceedings. Some witnesses reported that Kobayashi was attempting to congratulate the winner, Chestnut.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/415463-chestnut-wins-for-4th-straight-year-kobayashi-arrested|title=Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2010: Joey Chestnut Wins for Fourth Year|date=July 4, 2010|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=July 4, 2010|archive-date=October 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001221339/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/415463-chestnut-wins-for-4th-straight-year-kobayashi-arrested|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/04/2010-07-04_joey_jaws_chestnut_wins_nathans_july_fourth_hot_dog_eating_contest.html|title=Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut Wins Nathan's July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest|date=July 4, 2010|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|access-date=July 4, 2010|archive-date=July 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706215818/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/04/2010-07-04_joey_jaws_chestnut_wins_nathans_july_fourth_hot_dog_eating_contest.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38086913/ns/sports-othersports/|title=Kobayashi Arrested After Chestnut's Hot Dog Win|date=July 4, 2010|publisher=[[NBC Sports]]|access-date=July 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709030959/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38086913/ns/sports-othersports/|archive-date=July 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 5, 2010, all charges against Kobayashi were dismissed by a judge in Brooklyn. Despite his six consecutive victories in their annual event, Nathan's removed Kobayashi's image from their "Wall of Fame" in 2011. Kobayashi again refused to compete in 2011, but instead conducted his own hot dog eating exhibition, consuming 69 HDB, seven more than Chestnut accomplished in the Nathan's contest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://weirdnews.aol.com/2011/07/04/joey-chestnut-nathans-2011-hot-dog-contest_n_889722.html#s302839&title=Joey_Chestnut_Wins |title=Takeru Kobayashi Sets World Record With 69 Hot Dogs, Joey Chestnut Wins 2011 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest |publisher=Weirdnews.aol.com |access-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707160533/http://weirdnews.aol.com/2011/07/04/joey-chestnut-nathans-2011-hot-dog-contest_n_889722.html#s302839&title=Joey_Chestnut_Wins |url-status=dead }}</ref> The sports website [[Deadspin]] deemed Kobayashi's solo appearance "an improbably perfect 'up yours' to the Nathan's hot dog eating contest."<ref>{{cite web |first=Luke |last=O'Brien |url=http://deadspin.com/5817974 |title=Kobayashi Somehow Sets A New, Totally Unofficial Hot Dog Eating Record |publisher=Deadspin.com |date=July 4, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-date=November 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106160340/https://deadspin.com/5817974 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Chestnut was banned from the 2024 contest due to signing a deal with Impossible Food, which sells plant based products including hot dogs. A Major League Eating executive claimed that Nathan's asked for an exemption to the deal be made regarding Impossible Food's hot dogs which was denied with Major League Eating banning Chestnut as a result.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2024/06/11/joey-chestnut-nathans-hot-dog-contest-impossible-foods/ Joey Chestnut barred from Nathan’s hot dog contest over Impossible Foods deal] [[Washington Post]]</ref><ref>[https://www.npr.org/2024/06/12/nx-s1-5003036/joey-chestnut-banned-nathans-hot-dog-eating-competition Hot dog-eating champ Joey Chestnut won't compete this July 4. What’s the beef?] [[NPR]]</ref> On June 25, Chestnut instead agreed to attend [[Fort Bliss]]' Pop Goes the Fort celebration and compete in a 4 versus 1 eating competition with a five minute time limit,<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2024/06/27/joey-chesnut-july-4-2024/ Banned from Nathan’s, hot dog-eating champion Joey Chestnut will compete in Texas] [[The Dallas Morning News]]</ref><ref>[https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10126420-joey-chestnut-to-face-soldiers-in-hot-dog-eating-contest-on-july-4-amid-nathans-ban Joey Chestnut to Face Soldiers in Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 amid Nathan's Ban] [[Bleacher Report]]</ref> with Chestnut prevailing 57 to 49 while raising $106,000 for [[Operation Homefront]].<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2024/07/05/nx-s1-5030161/joey-chestnut-hot-dog-contest-fort-bliss-coney-island Joey Chestnut, banned from Coney Island, takes his hot dog-eating skills to Fort Bliss] [[NPR]]</ref>

=== Fake history of the contest ===
In 2010, Nathan's promoter Mortimer "Morty" Matz admitted to having fabricated the legend of the 1916 start date with a man named Max Rosey in the early 1970s as part of a publicity stunt.<ref name="NYT 08-18-2010">{{cite news |author=Sam Roberts |date=August 18, 2010 |title=No, He Did Not Invent the Publicity Stunt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/nyregion/19experience.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106193843/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/nyregion/19experience.html |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=February 11, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> 

According to that legend, on July 4, 1916, four immigrants held a hot dog eating contest at Nathan's Famous stand on Coney Island to settle an argument about who was the most [[patriotism|patriotic]]. Some accounts alleged that a man named Jim Mullen won the first contest.<ref>{{cite book |author=Jason Fagone |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Y7fSMRrkUEC&q=%22Jim+Mullen%2A+is+the+original+hot-dog+champion.%22&pg=PT271 |title=Horsemen of the Esophagus: Competitive Eating and the Big Fat American Dream |date=2007 |publisher=Crown/Archetype |isbn=9780307347152 |page=215}}</ref> Others described [[Jimmy Durante]], who was ''not'' an immigrant, as competing in that all-immigrant inaugural contest, which was judged by [[Eddie Cantor]] and [[Sophie Tucker]].<ref>{{cite web |date=July 4, 1980 |title=America is 204 years old |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bMUPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5694%2C528768 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306091440/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bMUPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5694,528768 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |access-date=October 17, 2020 |work=Boca Raton (Fla.) News (sec. A, p. 2)}}</ref> Another co-founder describes the event as beginning "in 1917, and pitted [[Mae West]]'s father, Jack, against entertainer Eddie Cantor."<ref name="Crown/Archetype (p. 222)">{{cite book |author=Jason Fagone |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=utR6mUoZBVIC&q=%22Rosey+also+elaborated+on+the+contest%27s+backstory%22&pg=PA221 |title=Horsemen of the Esophagus: Competitive Eating and the Big Fat American Dream |date=2007 |publisher=Crown/Archetype |isbn=9780307237392 |page=222}}</ref> Nathan made the spurious claim that the contest has been held each year since then except 1941, "as a protest to the war in Europe",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nathan's Famous July 4th Contest History |url=https://majorleagueeating.com/articles/1035/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=majorleagueeating.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-03 |title=How Hot Dog Eating Contest Became July 4 Tradition |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/how-did-july-4-hot-dog-eating-contest-become-holiday-n386456 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> and 1971, as a protest to political unrest in the U.S.

The legend grew over the years, to the point where ''[[The New York Times]]'' and other publications were known to have repeatedly listed 1916 as the inaugural year, although no evidence of the contest exists.<ref name="NYT 08-18-2010" />