Competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut reclaimed his title at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, winning the coveted 17th Mustard Belt. Chestnut, 41, consumed 70.5 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, falling short of his 2021 record.
Chestnut’s win marked his 17th victory in 20 appearances at the event, which he had missed last year due to a contract dispute with Impossible Foods. He took on 14 fellow competitors from across the US and world, including Australia, Brazil, and England.
Defending champion Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, won her 11th title by downing 33 hot dogs. However, she was apologetic about her performance, citing that the buns felt larger today than usual.
Chestnut’s return to the event was highly anticipated, with many fans showing up to witness his comeback. The annual competition, held outside Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island since 1972, drew a large crowd and featured live performances and foam hot dog hats.
In an interview with ESPN, Chestnut expressed his love for the event, saying it’s “a cherished tradition” that allows him to “push myself” and compete against top eaters. He also acknowledged missing last year’s contest due to a contract dispute but was happy to be back at Coney Island.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/nathans-hot-dog-contest-joey-chestnut-2bf7e4c6e05da82e74d86421006d55a9