Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest

CHESTNUT THE GREAT FENDS OFF GALLANT STONIE!

SUDO CLAIMS HER FIRST LADIES' BELT!

The skies darkened. The winds howled. The rain swept the cheeks of the Coney Island faithful and competitors alike. Buns soaked. Dogs cooled. Only the most resilient eaters would escape the corner of Surf and Stillwell for the 2014 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest with their pride intact, their mantles adorned by trophies and their wallets engorged.

And so it was.

In the Ladies' Final, Miki Sudo claimed her first Nathan's Famous title with 34 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The result was below her expectations, but victory nourished a blooming smile upon her visage. Defending Ladies' Champion Sonya Thomas was elegant, sporting and warm in defeat; she would finish second with 27.75. Michelle Lesco completed the podium with 27.

In the Gentlemen's Final, it was Joey Chestnut—for the eighth straight time—for the win. Sixty-one Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes: Below his world record of 69, yes, but in these conditions, a total worthy of a champion. Chestnut was pushed harder than he has been pushed in years at this event; Matt Stonie lead Chestnut by as many as two hot dogs and buns as the contest entered its final third. Stonie in the lead. Chestnut surging. Water flying. Skies howling. Chestnut's army of fans howling louder still—Joey! Joey! Joey! Chestnut kicked—the Seabiscuit of the Stomach, entering the final furlough! Chestnut and Stonie now level. Chestnut surging. Chestnut ahead and Chestnut wins. Stonie, gallant in defeat; Chestnut, the champion once more. (Forgive us for getting ahead of ourselves, but bring on 2015 already.) Tim Janus finished third with 34; Erik Denmark and Brian Dudzinski, each with 34, impressed for a fourth-place tie.

The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest was the culmination of a 13-event qualifying circuit conducted throughout the United States during the months of April, May and June. Each year, the greatest competitive eaters on earth gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY to compete, as they have each year since 1916, according to the archives. Next year will be no different.

FULL OFFICIAL RESULTS!

Gentlemen’s Final 1) Joey Chestnut, 61 2) Matt Stonie, 56 3) Tim Janus, 44 T4) Erik Denmark, 34 T4) Brian Dudzinski, 34 6) Juan Rodriguez, 32 7) Adrian Morgan, 29 8) Marcos Owens, 26 9) Badlands Booker, 25 10) Yasir Salem, 19.75 11) Aaron Osthoff, 19.5 12) Pablo Martinez, 17 13) Ronnie Hartman, 14 14) Sean Gordon, 10 15) Sgt. Horacio Chanyau, 10 16) Colin Shirlow, 3

Ladies' Final 1) Miki Sudo, 34 2) Sonya Thomas, 27.75 3) Michelle Lesco, 27 4) Juliet Lee, 23 5) Meredith Boxberger, 18 6) Larell Marie Mele, 14 7) Carlene LeFevre, 11 8) Neslie Ricasa, 10 9) Mary Bowers, 9 10) Marlene Wigginton, 8.5 11) Nicole Kulig, 7.5 12) Nicole Rodriguez, 7 13) Val Bromann, 3

CLICK HERE to relive the magic of the 2014 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest!

About Nathan’s Famous Nathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and eight foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 329 units, comprised of 324 franchised units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). Nathan’s was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 430 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold.

For additional information about Nathan’s Famous please visit www.nathansfamous.com.

Become a fan of the Nathan's Famous Facebook Page

Become a fan of the MLE Facebook Page

For instant results to all Major League Eating Contests, follow @eatingcontest