Curtis Sliwa is now vying for the position of Mayor of New York City, a significant political role that will be decided on Tuesday. However, my most vivid memory of Sliwa is from the 1997 World Hot Dog Eating Championships, where we competed against each other on Independence Day in Coney Island.
During the intense competition under the blazing sun, we shook hands before the event commenced. The contest was broadcast live on Japanese TV as we eagerly consumed hot dogs. After 12 minutes, the judges tallied the number of hot dogs eaten, with Sliwa finishing 7th after consuming 15 hot dogs, while I followed in 11th place with 11 hot dogs. The ultimate champion was Hirofumi Nakajima, who devoured 24 and a half hot dogs.
Reflecting back, I can still picture Sliwa, a well-known figure in New York, among the competitors. We observed the pre-competition favorites, Ed Krachie and Nakajima, discussing their strategies.
The competition involved various tactics, with some contestants opting for the “dunk” method to soften the bun by immersing the hot dog in water. The Japanese participants preferred to eat the sausage first before the bun. The showdown began at noon on Coney Island.
Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels, a group that patrolled New York’s streets in the 1990s, has always been a controversial yet recognizable figure in the city. The current mayoral race, contested fiercely to succeed Mayor Eric Adams, includes former governor Andrew Cuomo running as an Independent, Zohran Mamdani as the Democratic Party nominee, and Sliwa.
While the current campaign has been contentious, the chances of Sliwa winning the upcoming election seem slim, contrasting the 1997 hot dog eating contest where he had a better shot at victory.