NEW YORK, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The time-honored hot dog eating contest on Coney Island of New York City was interrupted by thunderstorms on Tuesday.
The men's competition, which was scheduled to kick off at noon, was delayed for about two hours as lightning and heavy rain forced the organizer to postpone the event.
Visitors ran for shelter in the rain and many got frustrated as the outdoor event usually drew big crowds and strong viewership via live streaming.
It is reported that one person was injured by lightning on Coney Island's famous boardwalk and taken to a hospital.
Joey Chestnut, 39, won the first place for the 16th time by eating 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, well short of his own record of 76 hot dogs and buns set in 2021.
Meanwhile, Miki Sudo, 37, won the women's championship for the ninth time on Tuesday morning by consuming 39.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, also less than her own record of 48.5 hot dogs and buns set in the same event in 2020.
Named the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, the annual event has occurred each July 4 on Coney Island since 1916, according to archives.
A number of areas in the United States are impacted by storms this week, with nearly 90 million people under severe storm threat on Monday.
