Joey Chestnut wins Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest after a one-year break, showcasing his competitive eating skills once again.
Thousands of food enthusiasts converged on Coney Island on July 4 for the much-anticipated Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, a quintessential New York City tradition celebrating its return with remarkable fervor. Among the competitors was Joey Chestnut, a legendary figure in competitive eating, who took the stage once again after a one-year hiatus.
This year’s contest featured 28 elite eaters, comprising 15 men and 13 women from the United States, Canada, England, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Australia. They vied not only for a cash prize of ,000 but also for the coveted championship belts— the Mustard Yellow Belt for men and the Pink Belt for women.
Joey Chestnut, known for his astonishing capacity, had previously set a world record in 2021 by consuming 76 hot dogs within 10 minutes. Although he did not surpass this achievement during this year’s event, he emerged victorious once more, consuming a remarkable 70.5 hot dogs and buns. This victory marked Chestnut’s 17th title at Nathan’s contest, further cementing his status as the reigning champion.
In a noteworthy finish, Chestnut outpaced the second-place competitor, Patrick Bertoletti, who managed to eat 46.5 hot dogs and buns. Bertoletti was the champion during Chestnut’s absence from last year’s event. Despite this decisive victory, Chestnut expressed disappointment at not breaking his previous record, reflecting the high standards he sets for himself.
The women’s competition saw Miki Sudo claiming her 11th championship title. Sudo, ranked as the world’s top female competitive eater, consumed 33 hot dogs in her impressive performance. Just a year prior, she had set a world record in her category by eating 51 hot dogs and buns.
The hot dog contest, organized by Major League Eating since 1997, has become synonymous with Independence Day celebrations. Event organizers estimate that over 40,000 spectators attend the competition live, while an additional 2 million viewers watch the contest on ESPN, highlighting its popularity as a spectacle of excess and American culture.
The rules governing this unique competition are straightforward: contestants have 10 minutes to consume as many hot dogs as possible, with buns deemed mandatory. Condiments are optional, and participants are encouraged to drink water. However, any instance of vomiting, referred to as a “reversal of fortune,” results in disqualification.
Since its inception in 1972, this iconic event has helped competitive eaters collectively devour over 1,509 hot dogs, amounting to approximately 330 pounds of beef franks. The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest continues to engage audiences with its blend of culinary challenge and American tradition, ensuring its place as a highlight of summer festivities.
