Joey Chestnut eats 72 hot dogs in 10 minutes

[UGetPaid]

I have always seen highlights on ESPN of the annual July 4th hot dog competitive eating contest at Coney Island, but I watched it for the first time yesterday with my daughter. Wow! She was both amazed and sickened at the same time, but she sat mesmerized through the entire thing, rooting for Joey Chestnut to break the record. And he did!

What do you say: legitimate athletic competition or shameful display of waste and/or gluttony?

[rghvac69]

It's a shameful display of waste and gluttony, but I do find it entertaining to watch.

[Katie_thehappywife]

wow! that is a lot of hotdogs. I cant eat them because I'm allergic to pork. I think a shameful waste of gluttony. but it seems entertaining and I get curious to see how one can eat that many hotdogs

[monnee]

Some people will do anything for $$$$$ and fame.

[autumnsparklemom]

I think I would puke.

[heypeg]

This seems hard to believe.

[bigfoot951]

I am confused.  How could this be considered a legitimate athletic competition?  I am curious as to whether or not they make themselves puke after the contest.  I kind of hope they do.

[surveypro2016]

We watched this competition for the first time as well lol
I do not consider them legitimate athletes just as I do not consider gamers to be "athletes".

[ktheodos]

crazy...it's amazing he doesn't get sick (or maybe he does and we just don't see it)

[bremer51]

Its an entertaining competition, although athleticism doesn't really come into play.  I get nauseous just thinking about 72 hot dogs.

[debidoo]

I don't know but I lean toward waste and gluttony.  I mean there are people in this country alone going to bed hungry - I don't know but it seems pretty disgusting all around and it isn't just the 72 hot dogs they have to over-eat all year don't they to prepare?  Oh well takes all kinds I guess.

[PGS28]

Is this healthy? 

[PGS28]

I'd worry about clogging arteries but I've seen people eat much worse 

[catchow]

I dont really consider this eating, I dunno, hes just swallowing watered down food so it will slide down his throat, I wish they would change the rules and make them have to chew them.

[UGetPaid]

I am confused.  How could this be considered a legitimate athletic competition? 

I am NOT necessarily in the "it's an athletic competition" camp, but the participants do 'train' for the event and condition themselves to compete.  There is definitely a skill set and strategy to it.  But is that enough to qualify as an athletic competition?