Joey Chestnut – New York City’s Coney Island was buzzing with excitement as eating sensation Joey “Jaws” Chestnut triumphed over a rain delay to defend his championship at the renowned Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. Despite the tumultuous weather conditions, Chestnut devoured an impressive 62 franks and buns in a thrilling 10-minute showdown.
Joey Chestnut – Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest
Outshining his competitors, including runner-up Geoffrey Esper and a diverse international field of 15 competitive eaters, Chestnut secured his 16th title with a double-digit lead. Esper, hailing from Oxford, Massachusetts, managed to consume 49 hot dogs and buns but fell short of dethroning the reigning champion.
In the women’s contest, defending champion Miki Sudo exhibited her remarkable skills by wolfing down 39 1/2 hot dogs and buns, earning her the coveted Mustard Belt for the ninth time. However, prior to the men’s competition, stormy weather enveloped New York City’s Coney Island, causing a two-hour delay.
Amidst the uncertainty of whether the renowned contest would proceed, Chestnut expressed his emotional roller coaster ride. “What a roller coaster, emotionally,” he exclaimed, having braved the rain and contemplated the fate of the event. The 39-year-old eating phenomenon from Westfield, Indiana, first competed for the Nathan’s title in 2005 and has retained it since 2015.
While Joey Chestnut‘s best performance to date was consuming 76 hot dogs in 2021, the weather disruption on Tuesday made a repeat of that feat impossible. “Everybody got messed up,” Chestnut admitted, acknowledging the impact of the adverse conditions.
In a thrilling women’s event, Sudo faced fierce competition from 27-year-old Mayoi Ebihara, with the two contenders appearing neck and neck throughout the competition. However, Sudo ultimately prevailed, surpassing Ebihara’s count of 33 1/2 hot dogs in 10 minutes. The final count of plates settled the score, revealing Sudo as the victor.
Reflecting on her performance, Sudo expressed disappointment in her winning total, falling nine hot dogs short of her personal record. She attributed her temporary lapse to being distracted by Ebihara’s performance. “The first couple of minutes, I found myself watching her, which I never want to do. I never want to be distracted by the other competitors,” explained Sudo, who hails from Port Richey, Florida. Despite initial setbacks, she managed to correct her focus and secure the championship.
The annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest on Coney Island drew participants from various countries, including England, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, and Australia, highlighting the global appeal of the event.
Joey Chestnut’s remarkable feat in overcoming the rain delay and defending his title has solidified his status as a dominant force in the world of competitive eating, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future endeavors.
Source: PEOPLE – Joey Chestnut Eats 62 Hot Dogs to Claim 16th Title in Nathan’s Fourth of July Contest