5/13/24 - Hot Dog Eating Qualifyer Puts Away 22 Hot Dogs on a Cold Evening

Despite the cold temperatures, Darrien Thomas ate his way to the July 4th contest for Nathan's Famous.

On a chilly Saturday evening, The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted a qualifying event for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest coming up on July 4th. Six eaters from West Michigan and beyond took part in the contest to see who could eat the most hot dogs and buns in under 10 minutes.

 Darrien Thomas of Orillia, Ontario packed away 22 hotdogs in 10 minutes Saturday evening after the game, edging out his closest competitor by four dogs . Thomas says it was a grueling event. "I've done many qualifiers before, but this was a tough one."

With temperatures in the low 40's, the chill plus the cold water contestants were drinking, made for a contest that wasn't just against another eater.

Thomas says the chilly weather changes how you approach the contest. "I was drinking a lot of water, where I usually don't, but I, just anything to get it down really." Contestants had cold water splashed on themselves as they dunked hot dog buns in the water, as well as drank large amounts to soften up the hot dog buns, making them more compact. Some of the participants also jumped up and down to supposedly make more room for the mix of bread and dogs.

Thomas is no stranger to the competitive world of major league eating. This former Smoke’s Poutinerie Amateur Poutine Eating Champion of Canada And The World is already the #1-ranked eater in Canada.

This will be his third time entering the Coney Island event in July.

For more information about the contest, visit Nathan's Famous.