Eating Champ (Burp) Wolfs Down a Coney Dog Every 35 Seconds

More than two dozen people brought healthy appetites to the American Coney Island Eating Challenge to raise money for Detroit police and fire charities. (Screenshot: MLive video)

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If Matt Holowicki of Plymouth decided to fast Friday, no one could blame him.

He snarfed down 17 coney dogs in a record 10 minutes – a hot dog every 35.3 seconds – Thursday in the fourth annual American Coney Island Eating Challenge, the Detroit Free Press reports. He was one of 28 hearty eaters in the contest, a fundraiser for Detroit police and fire charities.

Grace Keros and Chris Sotiropoulos, who own the restaurant, say it’s a way to support the city while having some fun. They expected to raise $20,000 for the charities before the night was over.

“We love this city,” Keros said

“You’ve just got to get used to that full feeling. It’s really mind over matter.” – Matt Holowicki

Holowicki a 46-year-old competitive eater who’s also gobbled down burritos and sliders, said tasty food “makes it so much easier.”

With its crisp dog, chili, onions and mustard, the Detroit coney is in a class of its own, Holowick told MLive.

“It’s the combination,” he said. “That’s what makes the Detroit coney the best.”

He said the key to winning competitive eating challenges – which he says he does more often than not – is mental focus

“You’ve just got to get used to that full feeling,” Holowicki said. “It’s really mind over matter.”

Holowicki participated in the public contest, while police officers and firefighters competed against one another in a separate contest. The firefighters gobbled down 12 coney dogs to win the intramural event.

A special treat – besides Detroit’s famous coneys – was an appearance by international champion eater Guinness Record holder Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, who inhaled five coneys in 30 seconds, making Holowicki look like a delicate eater in comparison.

Speaking through a translator, Kobayashi said Detroit’s has long been a stamp he’s wanted to get his passport.

“I heard this place has a lot of history and I’ve always been interested in searching out the greatest coney dog,” he said.