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    Women make less eating hot dogs, too

    By | Shine Food – Fri, Apr 22, 2011 1:27 AM EDT

    Sonya Thomas and JoeyChestnut face off in 2006. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)Sonya Thomas and JoeyChestnut face off in 2006. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)
    Last year, a 98-pound woman faced off against four thick-cut men in the finals for Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest. It was Sonya Thomas' 8th time ranking among the top 10 competitive eaters at the world famous Fourth of July chow-down competition. But this summer, Thomas isn't even in the running against her other top competitors.

    The organizers of the event announced today, that women will be competing in a separate contest from the men this year. The real kicker: the female winner gets $5000 while the male winner gets $20,000.

    Event chairman George Shea makes the irrational argument that women will have more endorsement opportunities as a result of their win so they don't need as big a reward. He also makes it sound like he's doing women eaters a favor. "Serena Williams didn't have to beat Roger Federer to win the Wimbledon title, and we don't think Sonya Thomas should have to beat Joey Chestnut," Shea told the New York Post.

    What Shea is implying is that the best women will never beat the best men in this sport. He's wrong. Thomas beat rival Chestnut in the National Buffalo Wing Eating Contest, simultaneously setting a new world record (181 wings in 12 minutes). As for hot dogs, she broke the US world record for both men and women in 2004 and 2005. Her wins may sound physically nauseating but they do serve as proof that women's athletic ability in some sports can exceed those of men. So why can't they get paid like men?

    Related:
    Are you a competitive eater?
    The search for America's next great hot dog
    Are hot dogs healthier than chicken?
    Hot Dog styles across the country

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