Basketball has Michael Jordan, football has Tom Brady, but in the world of competition eating, Joey Chestnut reigns supreme. Despite a brief hiatus from Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (he was banned last year due to his affiliation with Impossible Foods), the champion eater made his triumphant return—and reclaimed his title.
Chestnut—who is widely regarded as the all-time great with 17 wins on the Coney Island stage alone—downed 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes on Friday, obliterating his competition in the process. 2024 champion Patrick Betoletti took second with 46.5, and James Webb trailed shortly behind with 45.6.
“Man, I wish I had ate a couple more,” Chestnut admitted post-win. “I’m sorry, guys, but I’ll be back next year.” Despite the fact that Chestnut didn’t quite topple his personal best, he still remains the GOAT after setting the all-time record in 2021: 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. He has no plans of slowing down either.
“I’m trying to make a new world record,” Chestnut told Delish ahead of his 2024 Netflix Special against Kobayashi. “[After] missing the Fourth of July contest, [I’m using it] as fuel. It’s gonna make me more hungry.”
Major League Eating announced the ban last year, ahead of their annual Fourth of July competition, writing that they were “devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut [had] chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.”
However, in June, Chestnut formally agreed to endorse Nathan’s Hot Dogs (and only Nathan’s Hot Dogs) as part of a three-year contract with both the company and the International Federation of Competitive Eating in order to return to the familiar stage.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut wrote on social media in June. “This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”
Meanwhile, on the women’s side of the competition, defending champion Miki Sudo claimed her 11th title after downing 33 hot dogs and buns to beat out Michelle Lesco—who won back in 2021—by 10 dogs. She finished the competition with just 22 and 3/4 hot dogs and buns.
