Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2011: Start Time, TV Info, Records and Entrants

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Set to Take Place on Independence Day

ESPN: 12:00 PM EST, July 4th, 2011

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is just around the corner and the finals will take place on July 4th, 2011.

For months now, contestants have been going through the preliminary contests to get themselves ready to go for the finals at Coney Island.

The contest has become a national tradition over the years and this year marks the 96th annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Joey Chestnut has won four straight times at Coney Island and will look to defend his title once again in 2011.

There was a lot of drama surrounding the event last year as six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi refused to compete in the event due to a dispute with Major League Eating.  Kobayashi did not participate but he did attend the event and found himself being arrested when he tried to come onto the stage after the event.

Kobayashi is expected to participate in the event this year, so the drama should be heightened this year as Chestnut and Kobayashi renew their rivalry on Coney Island.

This year will feature the first time the men's event and women's event will be held separately. 

Here is a list of entrants who have qualified for the event thus far, according to the Nathan's website, excluding the eaters who have deals with Major League Eating:

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Men's Competition:

Sean Gordon

Gravy Brown

Pete Davekos

Pat Philbin

Pat Bertoletti

Tim Janus

Aaron Osthoff

Erik Denmark

Adrian Morgan

Damon Wells

Women's Competition:

Christine Kitchenmaster

Katrina Klein

Michelle Lesco

Juliet Lee

Laura Leu

Jamie Park

Sonya Thomas

Lauren Gallagher

Larell Marie Mele

Stephanie Torres