While fireworks and beaches might be no-go zones in certain parts of the nation this year, theres one Independence Day custom that you can still depend on: the Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The yearly wiener-wolfing competition will air once again once again live on ESPN on July 4, however, like other professional sports, the 2020 installation was almost reversed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After all, the Nathans occasion usually includes tightly packed competitors gulping down the frankfurters in front of thousands of cheering fans. This years installation had to significantly retool in order to get a green light.
According to George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating, the company that puts on the occasion, it appeared that the league would need to cancel this year till officials discovered a way to move forward with a safe scenario. This year, competitors will be on the phase in a warehouse where they will be seated 6 feet apart and separated by plexiglass dividers. Shea informs Yahoo Life that the accommodations would not offer “the exact same ambiance and energy,” as when there would be 15 eaters, 20,000 to 25,000 fans, and as much as 100 members of the media covering the contest.
The crowd “really would amp them up,” states Shea of the entrants, and now he is tasked with supplying all of the on-site enthusiasm.
Still, Shea anticipates some amazing advancements in 2020s Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest. Shea forecasts that 12-time winner Joey Chestnut will take home the maless title. The competitive-eating legend, whom Shea calls “an American hero,” might likewise break his own world record of 74 pets. When it comes to the women, Shea believes Miki Sudo will win another champion, specifying that “she will eliminate the competitors.”.
Sudo has taken the title every year considering that 2014. But this year, she not only has her eyes on the world champion belt but has set herself an even loftier goal. “Time for me to lastly take that world record,” she tells Yahoo Life. Sudo does confess that the lack of fans presents a difficulty..
Story continues.
” It actually helps to have that crowd to feed off of,” discusses the six-time champ. Still, as soon as the rival discovered that the event would move on, she “hit the ground running,” and Sudo believes she will be entering into the 2020 competition “more powerful than ever.”.
The Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest “is my favorite day of the year,” states Shea, while revealing that he likewise feels the pressure to deliver to the television audience. The occasion may look different, but the crucial part is that the organizers are keeping the custom alive.
Thanks to Nathans Famous Inc.Sadly, there will be some contestants who will not have the ability to attend. The occasion is kept in Coney Island, and as an outcome of travel restrictions, rivals from Arizona and Washington will not be able to make the to New York..
Despite the modifications, fans can anticipate enjoyment, and perhaps even the making of competitive-eating history. Nathans Hot Dogs is likewise utilizing the occasion as a platform to raise awareness of the value of the nations essential employees. The company will be donating 100,000 hotdogs to New York City food banks to help those in need during this challenging year..
The Nathans Hot Dog Competition will air Saturday, July 4 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on ESPN.
Check out more from Yahoo Life:.
Want everyday lifestyle and health news delivered to your inbox? Register here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter.
According to George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating, the organization that puts on the occasion, it appeared that the league would have to cancel this year up until authorities found a way to move forward with a safe situation. This year, rivals will be on the stage in a warehouse where they will be seated six feet apart and separated by plexiglass dividers. Still, Shea expects some amazing developments in 2020s Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest. Sudo has taken the title every year considering that 2014. Nathans Hot Dogs is also using the event as a platform to raise awareness of the significance of the nations important workers.