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Illustrations by Nishan Akgulian
Competitive eating requires Rocky-style physical training: Nine-time competitor Crazy Legs Conti does cardiovascular training to improve his stamina. "I always slow down between the 15th and 20th hot dogs," he says. Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, who took third place the last two years, alternates hot dog-eating practice with fasting and drinking milkshakes. "Dairy settles my stomach, so I'll drink a lot of milkshakes the day before," he says. "With a few doses of Pepto."
