Centennial resident sets the bar on competitive eating
Many of us who have heard of competitive eating contests automatically think of the name of Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi – the guy credited with eating 58-odd hot dogs in 12 minutes. Even few of us know that he was beaten last year by Joey Chestnut, who won by eating a world record-breaking 66 hot dogs and buns in the same time frame. But how many could these two guys, or anyone for that matter, be able to eat in three minutes? And what if the contest was a “dry” or “picnic-style” contest that allowed no dunking? Well, up to Sunday, June 15, the bar stood at four – well at least in the Chow Down for Charity event hosted by Denver’s own Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs.
Forty-one-year-old San Wong of Denver set the four-dog contest record on June 1st during the first of the four qualifying events. On June 15th, thirty-five-year-old Donavon Busta of Centennial nearly doubled that number by consuming seven complete hot dogs – bun and all, in front of a capacity crowd at the second qualifier. Busta was one of eight competitors on the Father’s Day feast-off vying for a chance to qualify for the July 27th finals.
“I’ve done some wings contests,” says Busta, who went on to elaborate on his successes eating competitively during Colorado Mammoth halftime shows and other events. “I haven’t done dogs before.” He added. Busta along with Matt Kish of Denver will join a group of eight elite contestants that will advance to the final Chow Down for Charity on July 27th. Kish took the second spot downing five and half dogs narrowly beating out Andrew “A-Bomb” Lane by a bite’s-worth.
Lane, along with several other competitors will re-try their luck at one of the two remaining qualifiers to be contested on June 29th and July 13th. The contest is geared toward gaining awareness and funds for the Colorado Aids Fund and Project Angel Heart. The entire $25 entry fee and a portion of all hot dog sales on Sunday’s will directly benefit these charities.
The event is open to anyone 18-years of age and older. For more information or to register, visit Steve’s website at www.stevessnappindogs.com
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