11am on July 4th 2012
corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues, Coney Island, Brooklyn
At only 100lbs, the Korean-born American Sonya Thomas (Lee Sun-kyung) will be back to defend her title as top hot dog eater. Last year Thomas put down 40 hot dogs. She won easily as the next closest competitor only ate 29.
According to Nathan’s Famous spokesperson, in 2011 “30 eaters from around the world, including four-time Nathan’s Famous champ Joey “Jaws” Chestnut of San Jose, CA and the women’s division favorite, 100-pound eating phenom Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas of Alexandria, VA. Chestnut and Thomas hold the men’s and women’s hot dog eating world records with 68 hot dogs and buns and 41 hot dogs and buns, respectively.”
Get there early, by 11 a.m. No tickets are needed. But you won’t be the only one who wants to see the spectacle: in past years, 40,000 fans have come to the event, according to a company spokesperson. If you can’t see the contestants, you can watch it on a jumbotron screen.
2012 Schedule
Noon: Pre-show with live music and entertainment 10:00 a.m. Pre-Show Begins
11:30 a.m. Women’s Championship
12:00 p.m. Men’s Championship
ESPN will broadcast of the event at 3:00 p.m. ET, immediately following the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s quarterfinals. ESPN3 will also air the Women’s Championship live at night at 11:30 p.m.