Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has reclaimed his title as champion in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, held on Coney Island, New York, on Friday. Following a year-long ban from the event after his association with Impossible Foods, Chestnut, 41, demonstrated his superior eating skills by consuming 71 hot dogs in just 10 minutes, winning the coveted “Mustard Belt.”
In 2024, Chestnut faced elimination from the competition, a first in his storied career, but his return was eagerly anticipated by fans. During the event, he expressed gratitude and promised not to disappoint those who missed his presence at the competition. “Lots of people told me I was part of their Fourth of July and they missed me,” he shared with ESPN.
Chestnut, already a veteran with 16 Nathan’s titles and a record of 76 hot dogs eaten in 2021, easily outperformed last year’s winner, Patrick Bertoletti, who placed second by consuming 46 hot dogs. In the women’s competition, defending champion Miki Sudo took home the top prize with 33 hot dogs, though she fell short of her previous year’s record of 51. Sudo reflected on her performance, saying, “I might have stumbled out of the gate, but when things are tough, you get back up and you keep going.”
The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is an iconic Fourth of July event that has been celebrated since 1980, attracting spectators and participants who look forward to the spectacle and competition each year.
This year’s contest not only highlighted Chestnut’s resilience in returning to competitive eating after a year away but also reinforced the spirit of the event that brings together community, excitement, and celebration each Independence Day.
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