Joey Chestnut victorious in the comeback of the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Gulping Competition.
Joey Chestnut, the reigning champion, claimed his 17th title at the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th, 2023. The competition took place under sunny skies in 78-degree weather.
Chestnut, who pledged his allegiance to Nathan's Famous, the restaurant, returned to the competition after agreeing to terms with organizers in June 2023, following his exclusion in 2024 due to a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a company that produces plant-based meat substitutes, including vegan hot dogs, which conflicted with the hot dog exclusivity provisions upheld by Major League Eating (MLE) and Nathan's.
In a closely contested event, Chestnut managed to consume 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, a feat that left the next closest competitor 24 hot dogs short. Michelle Lesco finished in second place with 22 3/4 hot dogs and buns consumed, while Domenica Dee secured third place with 21 1/2 hot dogs and buns.
Meanwhile, Miki Sudo, who shared the winner's podium with Patrick Bertoletti in the recent event, broke the women's all-time record with 51 hot dogs consumed in the previous year. In the same event, Bertoletti won the men's event with 58 hot dogs and buns consumed.
Sudo expressed feeling like she let the fans down by not eclipsing her record haul in the recent event. However, her achievement was still a significant milestone in the world of competitive eating.
In the Netflix Labor Day event in Las Vegas, Sudo went on to win her 11th title at the hot dog eating contest, further cementing her place as one of the greatest competitors in the sport's history.
Despite his victory, Chestnut expressed being nervous initially but found a rhythm and wanted a slightly higher count for the next year. The 2024 contest will undoubtedly be an exciting event to watch, as both Chestnut and Sudo strive for new records.
[1] Source: Major League Eating and Nathan's Famous official statements.
In an interview, Joey Chestnut, the seven-time women's champion Miki Sudo shared their post-contest thoughts, expressing their lifestyles encompassing food-and-drink and sports. Chestnut revealed his eagerness to improve his count in the upcoming 2024 contest, suggesting a possible shift in his sports-focused lifestyle.
