Hall Hunt Secures Wild Card Slot in Atlanta

It was a mad race for the wild card slot this year. After all the qualifiers are complete, a wild card slot is alloted to the eater who has the highest average of hot dogs eaten over the course of three qualifiers (and who also didn't come in 1st place, obviously.) Going into Saturday's qualifiers, the race was really on between Hall Hunt and Erik "The Red" Denmark, who had also showed promising numbers. In the end, though, it was Hall who pulled ahead. With 18 HDBs in Sunrise, FL, 20.375 in Norfolk, VA, and 17.5 in Atlanta, GA, his average came to 18.625 HDBs. Erik trailed by only a bit, coming in with an average around 17 HDBs. (I am sorry, but does it get more heartbreaking than this?) But surprises are around every corner. The IFOCE announced today that another qualifier will take place on the 3rd, open to all Thai citizens (don't ask) and eaters who have competed in at least one qualifier this year.

Hall Hunt is holding his wild card position close to his heart. After failing to win a spot last year, the devout eater said he prayed about getting in this year, and he couldn't be happier about this prayer getting answered.

Tell us about the qualifier.

There was a large number of ranked eaters that showed up in Atlanta. I hope I can remember them all and I am sorry if I forget anyone. The people I remember off the top of my head were: Patrick Bertoletti, Sam Vise, Dale Boone, Bubba, Larry, and Super Paul. A few others I talked to were "the hangman", Peter Parker, some dude dressed as the pope, and a few others. The mood was pretty friendly and relaxed. All the eaters were chatting with each other and meeting all the first-timers and newcomers. I think everyone was excited to hear stories from other eaters, like where they were from, and what contests they had competed in before. The stage was set up in a large tent at the zoo where there were by my estimation a few hundred people including zoo patrons, family, friends, and a few media personnel. One of the cameras was from National Geographic, which I thought was fitting since the contest was at the zoo. I think this was a coincidence however. From what I remember Patrick won with 33, Sam Vise ate 20, Dale ate 18, I ate 17.5, Bubba around 15, Larry maybe 13.5, and I don't remember the rest. Please someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that is about how it went.

Did you feel good coming into this competition? Did you train? Did this qualifier feel different from your last?

I felt great coming into the contest. I did practice some leading up to the contest, but I am still working on technique. I feel my technique can be improved with some fine tuning. This qualifier did seem different than the past ones. I am not sure why, but I could not get my speed up and get into my rhythm. It was just one of those days. Lord willing, I can figure out what the problem is and overcome it.

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

If I must talk about some controversy/something funny that happened, the obvious topic would be Patrick and Dale messing with each other. Patrick ended up dressing as Dale for the contest and came out with a doll dressed up as Dale. Patrick was carrying the doll by a small noose and was ringing a cow bell to mock Dale. Larry the Legend
was also holding up a sign that said something like "Dale+hot dogs=reversal". I think you can find pictures of this here.

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

I think Patrick will end up getting 3rd or 4th place overall at Coney. My completely random prediction will be that Joey eats about 60 hot dogs and buns and Takeru has a reversal of fortune trying to keep up with Joey.

Last question:

The season I prefer the most is SUMMER! I get to put on my swimsuit and go to the beach!