<
div id=”content-gate”>
Competitive eater Darrien Thomas eats 24 hotdogs in under ten minutes during a training session at his home in Bowmanville, Ont., on June 2. He dips the hotdog buns in water before consuming them in order to prevent his mouth from drying out.Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
When Darrien Thomas was just 16 years old, he unexpectedly found himself participating in an eating contest featuring the renowned professional eater Takeru Kobayashi. This experience sparked his competitive eating journey. Since then, Thomas has progressed from winning amateur poutine-eating competitions to becoming one of Canada’s top eaters. He is set to compete in the upcoming Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York, where he aims to surpass his personal record of 34½ hot dogs.
Thomas expressed his passion for competitive eating, stating, “I love going to events and pushing myself. I want to win an actual championship.” He highlighted the importance of practice and technique in mastering the art of competitive eating.
Darrien Thomas holds some of the nine trophies he has earned at his home in Bowmanville on June 21. Mr. Thomas began his competitive eating career at 16 when he was plucked from the audience at an event he was attending, and managed to consume three large pizzas. He will be vying to win the $10,000 grand prize in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York on July 4.Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
This year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest will be missing the iconic Joey Chestnut, a 16-time champion known as “Jaws.” The competition has evolved over the last two decades, with a shift towards more athletic competitors who undergo rigorous training to enhance their eating capacity and endurance.
Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating (MLE), described the Nathan’s contest as the pinnacle of eating competitions, akin to the Super Bowl. The event attracts thousands of spectators and garners significant TV coverage.
Competitors like Darrien Thomas have embraced the technical aspects of competitive eating, mastering various food types and techniques. The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is viewed as the ultimate challenge for professional eaters, solidifying their status in the competitive eating world.
Mr. Thomas prepares a stack of 24 hotdogs and multiple cups of water in preparation for a training session at his home in Bowmanville as his two-year-old daughter Alaya watches.Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail
Competitive eating veterans emphasize the significance of competing at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, considering it a defining moment in their careers. The event symbolizes the pinnacle of competitive eating, with participants striving to secure their place among the elite in this unique sport.
Competitive eating is not just about consuming large quantities of food but about setting and achieving goals. Joel Hansen, a professional eater from Toronto, has gained popularity through his YouTube videos showcasing his food challenges. Despite the risks associated with competitive eating, Hansen emphasizes the dedication and effort required to succeed in this sport. Training for competitive eating involves pushing one’s limits and expanding the stomach’s capacity. However, excessive food consumption can lead to various health issues, including obesity and digestive problems.
Professional eaters like Hansen emphasize the importance of training under controlled environments with medical support. Darrien Thomas, another experienced eater, stresses the need to understand one’s limits and prepare diligently for competitions. While competitive eating poses health risks, dedicated eaters like Thomas continue to push themselves to excel in this unique sport.
