Kazutoyo Arai, pencil-slim at 5 foot 6 and 100 pounds, led a Japanese sweep of Tuesday’s annual hot dog-eating contest at Nathan’s in Coney Island.
The 32-year-old from Saitama, Japan, ate a record 25 hot dogs during the 12-minute contest. He also was the 1997 champion, when he ate 24.
The runner-up was 24-year-old Misao Fujita, who ate 24 franks. Their teammate, 22-year-old Takako Akasaka, the lone female contestant, placed third with 22.
Last year’s winner, Steve Keiner, 51, of Egg Harbor, N.J., was far back in the pack with a mere 15 hot dogs.
Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held for 85 years on the 4th of July.
