NEW YORKFollowing a culinary struggle in New York for the coveted Mustard Belt, renowned competitive eater Joey Jaws Chestnut regained his title at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot-dog eating contest on Friday.
The 41-year-old Chestnut missed his July 4, 2021 record of 76 wieners and buns after consuming 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The Westfield, Indiana, eater missed the globally broadcast tournament in 2024 due to a contract dispute, but this victory was his 17th in 20 outings.
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In the women’s class, defending champion Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, defeated 33 dogs and defeated a dozen opponents to win her 11th title. She consumed a record 51 links last year.
The annual eat-a-thon, which has been held outside the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, since 1972, drew a sizable crowd, many of whom were donning foam hot dog hats, despite the high heat. Many gather out to see Chestnut’s eagerly anticipated return to what he has described as a treasured custom, a celebration of American culture, and a significant aspect of my life.
In the United States and abroad, Chestnut defeated 14 other contestants from Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England, and Brazil.
George Shea, the event organizer, announced last year that Chestnut will not be entering the competition because of a contract issue. Chestnut had made an agreement with Impossible Foods, a rival business that produces plant-based meat.
Chestnut told The Associated Press last month that Nathan’s is the only hot dog company he has collaborated with and that he has never been included in any of the firm’s vegan hot dog advertisements. However, Chestnut admitted that he ought to have been more explicit with Nathan about that.
In a demonstration with soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, last year, Chestnut consumed 57 dogs in only five minutes. He said that the event was fantastic and that he was happy that he could still have a lot of hot dogs on July 4.
He remarked, “I’m glad I did that, but I’m really glad to be back at Coney Island.”
Chicago’s Patrick Bertoletti won the men’s title in New York last year with a stout 58.
