Release #256-00

 

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MAYOR GIULIANI WELCOMES COMPETITORS FOR THE 85th ANNUAL
NATHAN'S FAMOUS 4th OF JULY lNTERNATlONAL HOT DOG EATING
CONTEST TO CITY HALL

Competitors Seeking Coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt
Arrive At City Hall for Official Weigh-In

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today welcomed the competitors in this year's Nathan's Famous 4th of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest to City Hall, where he officiated at the official weigh-in ceremonies.

Tomorrow, July 4th, competitors from around the world will gather at high noon outside Nathan's Famous, on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, to compete in the World Cup of Competitive Eating - the 85th Annual Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Last year's winner and reigning International Hot Dog Eating Champion, Steve Keiner of Egg Harbor, NJ, holds the coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt. While Mr. Keiner won a decisive victory last year, many believe Japanese hot dog eating champion Kazutoyo Arai, who weighed in last year at only 101 pounds, should prove to be a worthy opponent.

"It's an honor to welcome some of the world's greatest 'athletes' to City Hall today for their official weigh-in before they compete tomorrow in the 85th Annual Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island," said Mayor Giuliani. "This event has grown to international proportions, with competitors coming from around the world. This year's competition will be an event not to be missed, with reigning champion Steve Keiner set to defend his title against Kazutoyo Arai of Japan for the coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt. As Mayor of the Hot Dog Capital of the World, I want to wish all the competitors the best of luck in this year's competition."

There will be 18 competitors in addition to Keiner and Arai participating in this year's competition, among them: world haggis eating champion Barry Noble of England; schweinhaxe (pig shank) eating champion Marcus Steinhoff of Hanover, Germany; Chris Eyre of Vancouver, BC; Ms. Takako Akasaka of Japan; Mr. Fujita of Japan; former American champion "Hungry" Charles Hardy of Brooklyn; "Kid" Cary DeGrosa of Las Vegas, NV; and Syd "Mongo" Goldstein of New Rochelle, NY.