Joey Chestnut secures victory in the renowned hot dog eating competition, clinching his 17th Mustard Belt victory.
Joey Chestnut, the renowned hot dog eating champion, has claimed his 17th Mustard Belt in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, marking his 20th appearance in the competition. However, his road to victory this year was not without challenges, as a contract dispute with Major League Eating (MLE) had temporarily barred him from participating in the 2024 event.
The dispute arose in 2021 due to Chestnut's partnership with the plant-based meat company Impossible Foods, which conflicted with MLE's agreements. Despite this, Chestnut remained optimistic and expressed his eagerness to continue negotiations. The dispute prevented him from competing in the 2024 Nathan's event, but it didn't stop him from taking part in alternative competitions.
In 2024, Chestnut competed in a Netflix event called "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef" against his long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi. In this competition, Chestnut set a new world record by eating 83 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
The resolution to the contract issues finally came, and Chestnut was welcomed back to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2025. The competition, held in Coney Island, Brooklyn, was filled with cheers as Chestnut claimed his 17th victory.
Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago came in second place, consuming 46 1/2 hot dogs and buns, but fell short of the 58 he needed to win the 2024 men's title. Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, claimed victory in the women's division for the 11th time, consuming 48 1/2 hot dogs and buns.
In the absence of Chestnut in 2024, Sudo had consumed 33 hot dogs in the contest. Last year, Chestnut participated in an exhibition at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he ate 57 hot dogs in five minutes.
The annual eat-a-thon, held outside the original Nathan's Famous restaurant, was attended by a large crowd, including fans wearing foam hot dog hats. The event continues to be a beloved tradition, bringing together food lovers and competitors from around the world. Among the competitors were individuals from Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England, and Brazil.
Chestnut acknowledged that he should have made his partnership with Nathan's more clear, but his return to the competition this year was a testament to his enduring love for hot dogs and the spirit of competition. As he continues to break records and win titles, the future of hot dog eating contests seems secure with Chestnut at the forefront.
After the contract dispute with Major League Eating in 2021, Joey Chestnut took part in alternative food-and-drink competitions, such as the Netflix event "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef." Despite this, his return to the sports arena was welcomed as he competed in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2025, where he claimed his 17th victory, demonstrating his dedication to his lifestyle of record-breaking hot dog consumption.
