Joey Chestnut emerged victorious once again as he clinched his 17th championship title at the renowned Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The competitive eating legend, who was notably absent from last year’s competition, devoured a remarkable total of 70.5 hot dogs to secure his win and take home the coveted $10,000 cash prize. This remarkable feat by Chestnut came shortly after Miki Sudo claimed the women’s title in the same event.
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The 41-year-old Chestnut showcased his unparalleled eating prowess by wolfing down the hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, leaving spectators awestruck. While Chestnut reigned supreme, the competition was fierce with last year’s champion, Patrick Bertoletti, finishing in second place by consuming 46.5 hot dogs and buns, closely followed by James Webb in third place with 45.5. Although Chestnut fell just over five hot dogs short of his record of 76 set in 2021, his dominance in the competition was undisputed.
The thrilling event unfolded at New York’s iconic Coney Island on the Fourth of July, with the women’s competition preceding the men’s division. Chestnut’s remarkable win was accompanied by a cash prize of $10,000. Speaking to ESPN after his triumph, Chestnut expressed his passion for competitive eating, stating, “Showing up is the hardest part sometimes. But I love being here. I love pushing myself and beating the heck out of people.”
Nicknamed “Jaws,” Chestnut was the overwhelming favorite heading into the men’s competition, boasting -2500 odds of clinching victory on BetMGM. With an illustrious career spanning 18 years, Chestnut has achieved unparalleled success, winning eight consecutive titles twice and suffering only one defeat. His absence from the 2024 event was due to restrictions imposed by Major League Eating related to his partnership with Impossible Foods.
However, after signing a lucrative three-year deal with Nathan’s and the International Federation of Eating, Chestnut made a triumphant return to the competitive eating circuit. He clarified that his previous collaborations, including those with plant-based brands, did not conflict with his love for hot dogs, stating, “Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.” In the absence of Chestnut in 2024, Bertoletti claimed the top spot by consuming 58 hot dogs and buns.
In a historic showdown last year, Chestnut set a new world record by devouring an astounding 83 hot dogs and buns during a special event against his longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi. In the women’s category this year, Miki Sudo, a formidable competitor in her own right, secured her 11th Nathan’s Famous title by consuming 33 hot dogs. Despite falling short of her own record set in 2024, Sudo expressed gratitude for the support she received during the competition.
Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo’s remarkable achievements at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest once again underscored their unparalleled prowess in the competitive eating realm. As the festivities concluded at Coney Island, Chestnut’s triumphant return and Sudo’s display of skill left spectators in awe, further solidifying their status as legends in the world of competitive eating.