With temperatures scorching the thousands on hand for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, it’s no wonder why overall hot dog totals were down.
“It was the hottest [competition day] of my 13-year career,” said Eric “Badlands” Booker, a Springfield Gardens native and competitive eater. “Everybody’s game was affected.”
Booker, 40, who has qualified for consecutive appearances in the Nathan’s Famous contest since 1997, was able to eat 24 hot dogs in the 10 minute competition.
“I qualified with 38 hot dogs and have been averaging at least 30. Everybody was at least 5-10 hot dogs under pace. It was super hot.”
Those in the crowd chanted “USA” and pounded their Pepto-Bismol thunder sticks together while Badlands took to the stage before the competition, rapping some new songs from his upcoming album, “Surf and Stillwell.”
“I had big fun . . . I did a song called ‘Summer (RU Ready?)’ because if you’re not ready, you better get ready. And a song called ‘Hard to Forget,’ which is about going to Coney Island for the first time as a kid.”
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut was in a class by himself, easily winning his fourth consecutive mustard belt by eating a total of 58 hot dogs, 10 shy of his world record.
The contest took a turn for the bizarre when Takeru “The Tsunami” Kobayashi, six-time Nathan’s Famous Champion rushed the stage and was immediately arrested by NYPD. Kobayashi did not compete this year due to a contract dispute with Major League Eating. Reportedly, he was released July 5 after pleading not guilty in Brooklyn to charges of obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Though his goal of 40 hot dogs consumed was not close to realized, Eric “Badlands” Booker is still The People’s Champ and thanked his fans via Facebook. He’s already thinking about next year’s competition.
“No worries or excuses,” he said. “I’ll do better next time.”
