The GOAT is back on top.
In his much-anticipated return to the field of competitive eating, Joey Chestnut once again dominated the competition at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship.
Chestnut, returning after missing last year’s contest, downed 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to secure his 17th career win and reclaim the Mustard Yellow Belt. Last year’s champion, Patrick Bertoletti, finished second with 46.5.
In the women’s division, Miki Sudo defended her title by eating 33 hot dogs and buns. It marked her 11th win since 2014.
The annual competition took place Friday on Coney Island in front of a crowd of thousands outside Nathan’s flagship location at Surf and Stillwell avenues. This year’s competition featured contestants from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Brazil, Czechia and the U.K.
“The contest was a celebration of community, competition and country, with a dramatic finish that will stand in the history of July 4,” said Phil McCann, vice president of marketing at Nathan’s Famous.
As part of the tradition, Nathan’s donated 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.
Major League Eating Chair George Shea praised the day’s performances, calling the event “a cortisol-producing adrenaline rush unmatched in the history of organized sports.”
The hot dog eating contest has been a July 4 fixture at Coney Island since 1916.
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