Famed aggressive eater Joey "Jaws" Chestnut reclaimed his title Friday on the Nathan’s Well-known Fourth of July sizzling canine consuming contest after skipping final yr’s gastronomic battle in New York for the coveted Mustard Belt.
Chestnut, 41, consumed 70 1/2 sizzling canines and buns in 10 minutes, falling wanting his 2021 report of 76 wieners and buns. It marked the seventeenth win in 20 appearances for the Westfield, Indiana, eater on the internationally televised competitors, which he missed final yr over a contract dispute.
"I want I ate a pair extra," a smiling Chestnut instructed the gang, many chanting his title. "Sorry guys. I’ll be again subsequent yr."
Defending champion within the girls’s division, Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, received her eleventh title, downing 33 canines, besting a dozen rivals. Final yr, she ate a report 51 hyperlinks. She was additionally apologetic for her efficiency.
"I really feel like I let the followers down somewhat bit," Sudo instructed ESPN. "I heard individuals within the crowd saying, ‘Go for 52.' Clearly, I’m all the time setting my targets excessive, however the sizzling canines weren’t cooperating. For some motive, the buns felt bigger right this moment."
A big crowd, peppered with foam sizzling canine hats, turned out to witness the annual eat-a-thon, held outdoors the unique Nathan’s Well-known restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, since 1972. Many followers confirmed as much as see Chestnut’s much-awaited return to an occasion he has referred to as "a cherished custom, a celebration of American tradition, and an enormous a part of my life."
Chestnut bested 14 fellow rivals from throughout the U.S. and the world, together with Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England and Brazil. Final yr’s winner, Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, got here in second place after gobbling up 46 1/2 sizzling canines and buns, falling wanting the 58 he ate to earn the 2024 males’s title.
"I like being right here," Chestnut instructed ESPN after his win. "As quickly as I discovered I used to be coming, my physique — it was simple to coach. I like doing it. And I like pushing myself and beating the heck out of individuals."
Final yr, Main League Consuming occasion organizer George Shea stated Chestnut wouldn't be taking part within the contest as a result of a contract dispute. Chestnut struck a take care of a competing model, the plant-based meat firm Not possible Meals.
Chestnut instructed The Related Press final month that he had by no means appeared in any commercials for the corporate’s vegan sizzling canines and that Nathan’s is the one sizzling canine firm he has labored with. However Chestnut acknowledged he "ought to have made that extra clear with Nathan’s."
Final yr, Chestnut ate 57 canines — in solely 5 minutes — in an exhibition with troopers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He stated the occasion was "superb" and that he was happy to nonetheless have an opportunity to eat sizzling canines — numerous them — on July Fourth.
"I’m joyful I did that, however I’m actually joyful to be again at Coney Island," he stated.
Reporting by The Related Press.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
-->