Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today hosted the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest Weigh-In and Certification Ceremony.  The competition, which is in its 88th year, will be held tomorrow on the Fourth of July at Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island.  Wayne Norbitz, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nathan’s Famous, and several of the world’s finest competitive eaters joined Mayor Bloomberg in City Hall Park for the ceremony.

“We are pleased to once again host the weigh-in for Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The competition is a Coney Island tradition and with contestants from all over the world, has become an international event.  I would like to wish each of the contestants the best of luck tomorrow, and to remind all New Yorkers to have a fun and safe Independence Day.”

Among those present at the ceremony were current world hot dog eating champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, who doubled the world record in 2001 by downing an astounding 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, and topped that in 2002 by eating 50 ½; American champion Eric Booker of Long Island, N.Y., who recently set a new American record of 30 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes; and South Carolina champion William “The Refrigerator” Perry, former Chicago Bear’s player.

This year's contest will feature a total of 21 eaters from Japan, Germany, Thailand, Canada, Great Britain and the United States. To gain a seat at the table for the international contest, each participant won one of 20 regional qualifying contests throughout the United States and the world.  For more information please visit the International Federation of Competitive Eating’s website at www.ifoce.com.