Joey Chestnut reclaims title in Nathan’s hot dog eating contest
The famous competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut recovered his title Friday during the famous Hot-Dogs restoration competition of Nathan July 4 after jumping the gastronomic battle from last year to New York for the coveted mustard belt.
Chestnut, 41, consumed 70 1/2 hot dogs and breads in 10 minutes, not exceeding his record in 2021 of 76 wieners and buns. He marked the 17th victory in 20 appearances for the Westfield, in Indiana, by eater of the international television competition, which he missed last year for a contractual dispute.
“I would like to have eaten one more couple. Sorry guys,” said a chestnut smiling with a crowd, singing her name a lot. “I will come back next year.”
Reigning champion in the female division, Miki Sudo de Tampa, Florida, won his 11th title, Dowing 33 Dogs, beating a dozen competitors. Last year, she ate a record of 51 links. She also apologizes for her performance.
“I have the impression of dropping fans.” Obviously, I always set my high goals, but the hot dogs do not cooperate. For any reason, the rolls felt bigger today. “
A large crowd, dotted with foam hot dog hats, turned out to be attending annual membership, held outside the famous original restaurant from Nathan to Coney Island, Brooklyn, since 1972. Many fans have come to see the highly anticipated return of Chestnut to an event he called “a dear tradition, a celebration of American culture and a large part of my life”.
Chestnut beat 14 other competitors from around the United States and in the world, notably Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England and Brazil. The winner of last year, Patrick Bertoletti de Chicago, arrived in second place after having engulfed 46 1/2 hot dogs and breads, falling below the 58 which he ate to win the male title 2024.
“I love being here,” Chestnut told ESPN after his victory. “As soon as I discovered that I came, my body – it was easy to train. I love to do it. And I like to push myself and beat people.”
Last year, the organizer of the major league event, George Shea, said that Chestnut would not participate in the competition due to a contractual dispute. Chestnut had concluded an agreement with a competing brand, the Impossible Foods meat company.
Chestnut told the Associated Press last month that he had never appeared in any advertisement for the company’s vegetable hot dogs and that Nathan’s is the only hot dog with which he worked. But Chestnut admitted that he “should have made him clearer with that of Nathan”.
Last year, Chestnut ate 57 dogs – in just five minutes – in an exhibition with soldiers, in Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He said that this event was “incredible” and that he was happy to have the chance to eat hot dogs – many of them – the fourth July.
“I am happy to have done this, but I am really happy to be back in Coney Island,” he said.
