Cheating at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is the ‘wurst
Americans have lost trust in Congress and the political class, the universities and the media, but woe that it’s come to . . . Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Since 1972, it’s been a pure and joyous meritocracy, uniting tourists, locals and fast-food lovers of all ages to watch men and women test the limits of the human stomach by downing as many weenies as they can off pre-filled plates in 10 short minutes.
After 600 seconds, the judges count the plates and announce the scores.
But now this not-quite-ancient rite has met with foul play.
Or at least Nick Wehry isn’t contesting that charge: He requested that his score be adjusted in the face of claims that this past July 4 competition he pilfered an empty plate from a fellow competitor, boosting his score from a respectable 46.75 dogs to an unearned 51.75, putting him over the coveted 50-dog mark, allowing him to enter an elite circle of frank eaters.
The suspicion is that he simply wanted to keep up with the missus: His wife is women’s division champ and mustard belt holder Miki Sudo.
Note, however: Wehry insists he didn’t cheat, but wants no hint of “impropriety.”
If he in fact is as kosher as the dogs, he can prove it next year.
And his concession is key, since the contest rules don’t even consider other appeals from what the judges announce.
At least this year’s controversy is dead, and the contest’s honor redeemed.
The decline of the West has yet to conquer Coney Island.
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