Nathan's Numbers Continue to Astound

To say the Nathan's qualifying rounds are still going strong would be the understatement of the season. Saturday saw the best showing yet, when American champ Joey Chestnut ate 59.5 HDBs at the Tempe qualifier and broke the world record. That's right; for at least one month (though hopefully more), the Americans will hold the hot dog title, an honor that we haven't enjoyed since 1997. If you thought people lost their shit when the boy ate 50 at last year's qualifier, you haven't even touched the excitement that's coursing through this year's competitive eating community. It's less of an astounded response as a tremendously excited and hopeful one. This could be our year...

Sadly, Rich LeFevre, who won this qualifier last year, had to settle for second place, even with his amazing showing of 33 HDBs. We always feel for the eaters that have to go to three (or in some cases, four) qualifiers, and when you're putting back numbers like that, it's no easy feat. Though currently in first place for the wild card slot, it would be a shame for Rich's vast talents to not receive a win and the community is fairly confident he'll come through in an upcoming qualifier.

Sonya Thomas held strong in Philadelphia last week, winning that qualifier with a whopping 36 hot dogs. It was a tight one, with Bob Shoudt coming in a close second.

And on Sunday, the Shea Stadium qualifier ushered in Erik "The Red" Denmark as its new champ with 26.5 HDBs, plus 3.5 additional HDBs in an overtime. For Erik, whose road to Nathan's was much more difficult last year, this marks a tremendous personal growth. He chatted with True Fan after his win.

So, it seems like you have a thing for stadiums. Do you credit your environment at all for your qualifier successes?

I have to say I am drawn to the competitions that are associated with some sporting event. I think my interest comes from a combination of a more educated fan base when it comes to a sporting event and the fact that it puts me into the subconscious mindset of a serious sporting event that I relate to more - as opposed to a lazy fair or a general venue. But every Nathan's contest has an aura about it that gets the juices flowing.

Did hearing about Joey's amazing victory the day before affect your mindset?

I was inspired by Joey's performance YES. I am still trying to beat the 2005 version of Joey so my timetable is a couple of years behind Mr. Chestnut's right now. I can't wait for the fourth, to see what I can do and to be able to feel that intense competition between Koby, Joey and Pat on stage.

Last year, you had to eat in four qualifiers, one the night before the big competition! This year, it's easy breezy with one. Are you relieved?

Easy breezy? Haha, that was the most intense and pressure packed contest I have ever been in. Goldstein was pushing all of us and beating us through the majority of the contest - he really had an awesome contest. Philbin snuck up and came on strong at the end and I don't know, there was not an easy moment in the entire contest. But yes, I am relieved to get 'er done and have some more time to prepare for July 4. Maybe this year I will actually have a name tag at the table.

Okay, not quite "easy breezy": you had an intense overtime finish--the first of the season; how did you psych yourself up to eat those extra dogs?

Honestly, the final minutes of regulation were so frantic for me because I was trying to catch up and I knew I had more in me and I was so afraid of running out of time. I knew it was close but when they said that Pat and I had tied, Charles Hardy came over and asked me: "how bad do I want this?" I knew that meant we were going to overtime, and my answer was "I want it, let's do it."

I was actually somewhat relieved just to know that I hadn't run out of time and I felt confident that I could eat more in OT. I know Pat wanted it bad as well, we both put down 30 HDB's in 13 minutes of competition. And when Charles told us whoever swallowed it first would win, it was a pure adrenalin rush that helped me get that mess out of my mouth and down my throat. I think it probably took me about 20 seconds to swallow everything, it was painful I am not going to lie.

J and I had a debate going about which competition was easier: the qualifier or the main competition ("easy" being a relative term, of course). I said the qualifier because you have a higher chance of winning, the hot dog quality might be better, and the stress levels are lower. J said the main competition had to be easier, with the roar of the crowd, the adrenalin, and the do-or-die pressure in your favor. Maybe we have no idea what we're talking about. What's your
take?

Unless I can double my capacity in the next month, I would have to say the qualifier is more stressful for me. The crowd on the fourth is so huge and pumped up that I think it motivates you to have an awesome performance. But for those who might have a shot to win this year, aka Joey, Koby, Pat, it will be exhilarating, but a pressure unlike anything anyone has ever felt - trust me that is not a lie, there will be more pressure in that 12 minutes than in any contest in competitive eating history. But you have to want that pressure if you think you are the best in the world, that will bring out the best in you.