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More Nathan's Hot Dog Controversy: Grace Lee "Humiliated" After Sloppy Eating
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Jul 12, 2011
Modified Jul 12, 2011
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By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Jul 12, 2011
Modified Jul 12, 2011
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Controversy continues to plague the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest held at Coney Island on July 4; but this time, it has nothing to do with Kobayashi vs. Chestnut, and everything to do with a female eater named Grace Lee.
Five-foot-two Lee, 29, who hails from Atlanta, claims she ate 24 dogs in the Contest's first-ever Women's Championships—but she only got credit for four. What gives? According to Richard Shea, a spokesman for Major League Eating, Lee was simply too sloppy: "The judge was unable to determine what she had. He was faced with a large amount of detritus. He analyzed the food in front of her and credited her with four," Shea said. Lee isn't having it, saying "It's outrageous...I just want someone to explain to me how they came up with that number out of thin air. I would have preferred if they had just disqualified me than to come up with a number so low."
Had Lee been officially tallied with 24 dogs, she would have come in fourth and walked away with $1,500 in prize money. Instead, she was demoted to eight and walked away empty-handed. MLE said Lee is welcome to return next year, though Lee, who once at a seven-pound taco in an hour, said she felt "completely humiliated" and isn't sure she'll be back. For what it's worth, this year's lady champion, Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, ate 40 dogs.
Tagged
coney island
controversy
grace lee
hot dog
judges
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
scandal
Jamie Feldmar
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