FOX 56 News

Kentucky man competes in Nathan’s hot dog competition

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) – A former Kentucky State Police trooper is trading in cuffs for competition. The Cave City native spent the day in New York City for Nathan’s famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.

“I had a picture sitting in front of the TV watching Nathans hot dog eating hotdogs from a few years ago and I said I want to do that one day, that looks cool,” Bartley Weaver IV said.

The professional bodybuilder and eater said the hotdogs were not the most he has ate.

“It was a great time, this was the Superbowl of competitive eating and I have been working the past 3 years on the pro-circuit just trying to make it, and finally got the invite this year,” Weaver said.

Weaver allows himself a cheat meal. Meals that estimate to be a whopping 13,000 calories, consisting of three pizzas, 20 donuts, and four muffins.

“I get on somewhat of a diet, I like to do combative eating in my off-season and when it is time to diet that is when we promote my supplements,” Weaver said.

Joey Chestnut ate his way to the top of the contest this year, winning a record-setting 15th victory in the competition but Weaver said to be a contestant this year, representing the Bluegrass, means a lot for him.

“I have been a Kentuckian my whole life and I was also the first Kentuckian ever to compete at Nathans today, so I am very proud to represent the state this year,” Weaver said.

Weaver ate 29 hot dogs and placed seventh.

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