| This Sunday on the nation's birthday, Joey "Jaws" | | | | inhaling 13 pounds in just 10 minutes. The betting |
| Chestnut puts his Mustard Belt on the line in an | | | | odds for him to finish second are currently EVEN. |
| attempt to win the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating | | | | Tim "Eater X" Janus (+800) |
| Competition for the fourth consecutive year. | | | | In 2004, Janus exploded on the competitive eating |
| According to the Oddsauthority, he shouldn't have | | | | scene garnering IFOCE's Rookie of the Year |
| much of a problem devouring the most wieners | | | | honors. Since, "Eater X" has set seven eating |
| as he is the overwhelming -1000 favorite. | | | | world records, including 10.5 pounds of Ramen |
| It seems like yesterday when Chestnut did the | | | | Noodles (using chopsticks) in 10 minutes. Janus |
| USA proud when he defeated six-time champ | | | | finished third back in Nathan's in 2008. The betting |
| Takeru Kobayashi to win what is considered the | | | | odds for him to finish second are +150. |
| Super Bowl of competitive eating. Currently the | | | | Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas (+2000) |
| top ranked eater by the International Federation | | | | Weighing in at a petite 98 lbs, Thomas is quite |
| of Competitive Eating (yes there is such a thing), | | | | simply a freak of nature. The top female eater in |
| Chestnut's road to his fourth title seems to have | | | | the world, Thomas also has numerous eating |
| gotten easier as Kobayashi most likely won't be | | | | records she can brag about. She once ate 65 |
| competing do to a contract dispute (yes, these | | | | hard boiled eggs in 6 minutes a 40 seconds; a |
| guys get paid for stuffing their faces). | | | | number so astonishing even Cool Hand Luke |
| So without Kobayashi, is there anyone that can | | | | would be proud. Thomas is +500 to inhale the |
| seriously contend for the Mustard Belt? Let's look | | | | second most dogs and buns. |
| at the top challengers and there odds.. | | | | "Humble Bob" Shoudt (+2000) |
| Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti (+700) | | | | Looking for a dark horse? Here is your man. |
| "Deep Dish" polished off 55 hot dogs and buns to | | | | Given his nickname for his humble style of eating |
| take third place last year. A definite up and comer | | | | (whatever that is), Shoudt has had great success |
| in competitive eating, Bertoletti is currently ranked | | | | versus Chestnut in the past beating him in grits, |
| #3 by the IFOCE. He is entering this year's | | | | chili spaghetti and ribs. The betting odds for |
| competition with some great momentum; in May | | | | Shoudt to finish second are +500. |
| he became the world poutine eating champ, | | | | |