Hot Dog Eaters Battle for Nathan's Championship at New York-New York

May 8, 2009 by VegasNews.com

Member of Team Palimino at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
The region’s finest competitive eaters converged at New York-New York Hotel & Casino for the highly anticipated Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship (Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com). The contest was held yesterday on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York. The contests included a special one for employees as well as a “Heroes” competition for charity.

Rich LeFevre of Henderson, NV, won 1st place by eating 25 dogs in 10 minutes. LeFevre will represent the United States in the 93rd Annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest Saturday, July 4 in Coney Island, NY.

Ron Koch of Las Vegas, NV came in 2nd with 21 dogs in 10 minutes.

The Team Palomino girls in pink tops finished a whopping 30 dogs in 10 mins but were beaten by the ESPN Zone team.

Two-time defending champion Joey Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., is scheduled to return to Coney Island as he goes for his third consecutive title. In 2008, he devoured 59 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in the 12-minute contest but needed an additional 50 seconds in overtime to defeat long-time nemesis and former champion Takeru Kobayashi. In 2007, Chestnut won the July 4 contest, ending Kobayashi’s six-year reign, as he downed a world record 66 hot dogs and buns. Prior to Chestnut’s victory, from 2000 to 2006 the event was won by either Kobayashi or another Japanese competitor.

The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held each year on July 4 since 1916. For more information, visit www.nathansfamous.com.

Rich LeFevre of Henderson, NV, gets ready for the contest to begin

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Ron Koch of Las Vegas, NV, ready to use The Force

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

The calm before the storm.

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

This contestant tries to psych out his opponents

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

The Nathan's hot dogs are ready

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

The Battle begins...

LeFevre shows off his two-fisted eating style

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Ron Koch of Las Vegas, NV, begins with a one-handed eating style

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Nathan's chefs make sure there are plenty of hot dogs on hand

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Fast and furious eating action

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Team Palimino in action

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

More hot dogs!

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

The referee looks on as the dogs are devoured

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Nathan's hot dog mascot watches the contest

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Team Palimino are hard to beat

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

How many more hot dogs are these guys going to eat?

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Team Palimino eats a whopping 30 dogs in 10 mins

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Rich LeFevre shows off his champion teating echnique

Rich LeFevre shows off his championship eating technique

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Rich LeFevre wins 1st place!

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Rich LeFevre poses with Nathan's rep after winning 1st place

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Rich LeFevre with his 1st place trophy

Ron Koch of Las Vegas wins 2nd place

List of preliminary contests leading up to July 4 championship at Coney Island

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