Allen Goldstein Shreds Islip

We first met Allen "The Shredder" Goldstein at the 2005 Carmine's Meatball Competition, where we cut our teeth on competitive eating coverage. We saw him again in the "Eats of Strength" studio, showing support for all his fellow eaters, including Don Lerman who had beat Allen's bologna record the previous day. This is his 3rd year trying to qualify for Nathan's, receiving the wild card spot in 2004 and being beat out for it last year by Crazy Legs by half a dog. Ruminating on that half dog, he said, "I had 12 months to think about 12 minutes of hot dog eating and vowed never to let that happen again." With the wild card race so tight this year, Allen knew he needed to pull in a big number at the Ducks Stadium in his hometown in Long Island on Saturday. But he did better than that and won the qualifier with 21.5 HDBs and earned his first non-wild-card seat at Coney's.

"The Shredder" let us in on the details of the event.

Tell us how the event went down.

The contest at the Long Island Ducks Stadium was suppose to be on the infield just before the game and to a huge crowd. Because of the crappy weather, the game was called off but the contest was held under the bleachers near the concession area. I didn't know any of the other eaters. I was the only ranked eater there. Ed Jarvis was there for support and to judge. I won with 21.5, second place ate 13 or 14.

How did you feel about your chances going into this qualifier? Was it much more difficult than Molly Pitcher, since your stomach was still churning the hot dogs from the day before?

I felt that my chances were good. Most of the raked eaters had already qualified. I didn't want to hear any smack about me beating a bunch of armatures so I ate like I had Koby on my right and Bob Shoudt on my left. I did 20.5 the day before at the Molly Pitcher contest and I felt great. I knew I was doing another deuce.

Did things go like you expected, or were there some surprises?

Things went like I hoped. I came out on top and with my personal best of 21.5. The hot dogs were much better that the day before. That definitely helped.

Tell us something funny or unusual that happened during this qualifier.

When George Shea announced me the winner and handed me the trophy it was so surreal. I thought about the first time I tried to eat hot dogs competitively at that same qualifier in 2003 when I did 9.5 and Don Lerman won with 20. It felt great to win in my home town.

Any thoughts on the Islip winner's chance on the 4th? Any predictions about what will happen at Coney Island? Is this the year Kobayashi will be unseated?

I'm just happy to be on the big stage with the worlds greatest eaters on July 4th. I'd like to achieve another personal best. Kobayashi definitely has his work cut out for him. It will be very close. I think he will step up his mental training a few notches. He already has the capacity but his days of coasting to a victory are over.

Finish this sentence: If I could change one thing about the Nathan's qualifiers...

Some sort of prize for 2nd / 3rd place if a deuce is done, top 3 in the finals shouldn't have to qualify.>

Last question:

Definitely, Godzilla...