Hall Hunt Beats Juliet to Take Charlotte

Last year's rookies are certainly this year's stars. Hall Hunt, who won the wild card slot in the Nathan's competition last year by eating the highest combined total from three qualifiers, slid into the competition this year by winning his first qualifier in Charlotte. Though he put down an impressive 28.75 HDBs, a personal best, he was followed very closely by newcomer Juliet Lee, who ate 28. Juliet's total marks the highest ever Nathan's debut by a woman, but she'll have to keep at it in order to make it to this year's table, where no one is holding back. True Fan caught up with Hall a few days after his qualifier to see how the success was sinking in.

Like Erik, you had to battle three qualifiers to make it into the competition last year. Did it feel good to win your first one this year? How do you think that affects you differently (mentally or physically) going into the final weeks?

It felt very good to be able to win in my first qualifier this year. I just have to thank the Lord for letting me do well right off the bat. Last year I was so exhausted from traveling what felt like every weekend to a qualifier, by the time I got to the finals I just wanted to relax and pull a Jed. This year I am hoping to be able to rest up some and get refocused for the finals.

You were going head-to-head with Juliet, who I think surprised the competitive eating community with such a strong Nathan's debut. Were you surprised she came out of the gate so strong? Did it feel any different with a woman as your main competition?

I was not surprised at all that she did so well in Nathan's. I was impressed and happy to see how well she did though. She has had a few good results in other contests, so I was anticipating it carrying over to Nathan's.

Woman, man...if you can eat, you can eat. I felt very comfortable eating up there. This maybe a bit of a tangent, but it reminded me of a time in college when I was dating this one girl who was a big eater herself. She and I after getting a good workout at the gym would rent a good movie, buy a couple large containers of food from the local wholesale grocery store and see who could eat more. I must admit that one time she beat me. That was the only time I ever lost to anyone in an eating contest before I joined the MLE and it was to a woman. Ever since then I have never underestimated females.

It used to be eaters were more territorial around their home turf, but this year everything seems a little more shaken up. Why skip out on Sunrise this year?

Anywhere within driving distance I consider my territory. I really wanted to go to Florida, but something came up. Its name is Chip Simpson. Plus it ended up being the weekend after Saint Patrick's Day. I think I was just waking up a few days before the Florida qualifier started.

Once I saw they were having a NC qualifier this year, I knew I had to go to that. NC is always good to me. I went to my first ever MLE contest in NC and met Joey Chestnut, Sonya Thomas, Booker, Rich LeFevre, Carlene LeFevre, and Joe LaRue. I ate about 4 lbs, but just finished outside of the money. NC is also where I won my first contest. My dad was born and raised there. I have an uncle that is a state senator there, Neal Hunt. Plus the main time I go there is to visit relatives for Thanksgiving, so I always associate NC with food. My family strongly encourages eating a lot. One of my cousins in NC owns a supermarket and always brings tons of food to his farm where the whole family gathers to eat for Thanksgiving. So, as you can see, NC is my home away from home. I also get to visit all my family on my mom's side just across the border in Columbia, SC! It always makes for a nice trip! :o)

Okay, seriously: is this Joey's year to win it?

Takeru is amazing. He has never lost and has held the Nathan's belt for the last 7 or 8 years. However, Joey now has taken the world record from Takeru so you have to believe he has the ability to beat him. I say if Takeru shows up, they trade the lead a few times and keep it close all the way to the end. Either that or Takeru eats 100 HDBs and then ascends into heaven in a beam of light. Of course the beam of light thing may happen regardless. After all, nobody knows what might happen if he looses. Takeru loosing could possibly knock the planet
earth out of orbit and send it flying towards the sun.

What about the 4th of July contest are you looking forward to most now that you know you're in the competition?

First off I would like to thank my manager for giving me the entire week off! I was afraid I was going to have to fly up and back all on the 4th since I am new at this company and haven't earned any PTO yet. I was trying to suggest maybe a half day before and after at minimum, but he cut me off and said I should have the entire week off. No argument here. In answer to your question I am mostly looking forward to just enjoying the whole experience this year. Last year I was way too nervous to enjoy anything. Now that I have been there before I think I will get a
lot more out of it and have a lot more fun. SEE YOU AT CONEY!