NEW YORK (AP) -- Most mortals would have serious indigestion after just a tiny fraction of Steve Keiner's hot dog feast.
But after winning the annual Nathan's July Fourth hot dog-eating contest by wolfing down 20 1/4 franks and buns, Keiner did something even more mind-boggling: He ate a couple more."I feel great," said the 317-pound Keiner, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. "And one other thing: They were simply delicious."
Keiner, 50, downed the dogs in 12 minutes on Sunday to beat 134-pound Hirofumi Nakajima of Japan, who'd won the contest the past two years.
"I took the Zen approach," Keiner said, acknowledging his competitor's cultural influence. "I went down a path that the hot dog was one with me, and I was one with the universe. Could I get some french fries now?"
Keiner, an electrical inspector, wrapped himself in the American flag and posed for pictures after winning.
Two contestants tied for second, coming within a mouthful of winning, at 20 hot dogs apiece. Nakajima placed fourth, downing only 19 franks.