Joey Chestnut made a triumphant return to the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition on July 4, reclaiming his title in spectacular fashion. After missing last year’s event due to a contract dispute with a plant-based food company, Chestnut showed he still has what it takes, consuming 70.5 hot dogs in just 10 minutes.
Chestnut, a 41-year-old from Indiana, expressed his nerves before the competition but quickly found his groove. "Oh my gosh, I was nervous," he told ESPN after the event. “The first couple of hot dogs, I was fumbling a little bit, but I found a pretty good rhythm.” His goal was to eat between 70 and 77 hot dogs, and while he didn’t quite hit that mark, he was pleased with his performance.
This win marks Chestnut’s 17th title at Nathan’s, a record in the competition’s history. He previously held the record for the most hot dogs eaten in a single contest, with 76 hot dogs consumed in 2021. While he fell short of that record this year, his victory reaffirmed his dominance in the sport.
Chestnut faced off against 14 other competitors from around the globe, including participants from Brazil and Australia. The runner-up, Patrick Bertoletti, ate 46 hot dogs, significantly trailing behind Chestnut. Bertoletti won last year’s competition while Chestnut was sidelined, downing 58 hot dogs.
The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a beloved July 4 tradition since 1972, taking place at the iconic Nathan’s restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Despite his absence in 2024, Chestnut still holds 55 world records in various eating competitions, showcasing his incredible talent. He has set remarkable records, including 121 Twinkies in six minutes and 390 shrimp wontons in eight minutes.
Last year, Chestnut was banned from the contest after signing a deal with Impossible Foods, a competitor to Nathan’s. Major League Eating, the organization that oversees the contest, expressed disappointment over his decision to represent a rival brand.
During his time away from Nathan’s, Chestnut didn’t rest on his laurels. He set a record for eating 14.4 pounds of Buffalo Wild Wings in one sitting and consumed 83 all-beef hot dogs at a Labor Day event in Las Vegas.
For his victory on Friday, Chestnut took home $10,000, while the second and third place finishers received $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. With this win, Chestnut has once again solidified his status as the king of competitive eating, and fans can expect to see him back next year, aiming for even greater heights.
