Curtis Sliwa, a well-known figure in New York, is currently vying for the position of Mayor of the city. Interestingly, I first encountered him in a different setting many years ago – the World Hot Dog eating championships. Sliwa, now aiming for a significant role in global politics, will soon discover the outcome of the mayoral election in New York. However, similar to the 1997 World Hot Dog eating championships, it appears that the contentious Republican candidate may face defeat.

I vividly remember our participation in the event held on Independence Day in 1997, under the scorching sun at Coney Island. It was a surreal experience as we competed on live Japanese television, voraciously consuming hot dogs.

After the allotted 12 minutes, the judges tallied the number of hot dogs eaten. Sliwa secured 7th place by devouring 15 hot dogs, while I followed in 11th place after consuming 11 hot dogs. The ultimate victor was Hirofumi Nakajima, who managed to eat 24 and a half hot dogs.

Even now, I can recall the moment when I glanced at my fellow competitors, including the familiar face of Sliwa, a prominent New Yorker even back then.

Both Sliwa and I observed the pre-competition favorites, American Ed Krachie and Nakajima, as they prepared for the challenge. The competition involved various tactics, such as the “dunk” method and unique eating styles, showcasing a diverse range of approaches to the contest.

Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels, a vigilante group in New York during the 1990s, has always been a controversial yet recognizable figure in the city.

The current mayoral race, featuring Sliwa alongside other candidates like Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani, has been intense. As the election day approaches, it seems that Sliwa’s chances of winning are slimmer compared to his odds in the 1997 Coney Island competition.

This election marks a stark contrast to events of 28 years ago, highlighting the evolving political landscape in New York City.