Competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has once again emerged victorious at the renowned Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in New York. In an impressive display of speed eating, Chestnut devoured 62 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, averaging approximately one hot dog every 10 seconds or less. This marks his 16th win at the annual event, a title he has held since 2016.
The 39-year-old from Indiana comfortably outpaced his competitors, with Geoffrey Esper coming in second place by consuming 49 hot dogs. Although Chestnut fell short of his 2021 record of 76 hot dogs, the challenging weather conditions, which resulted in a two-hour delay, played a role in the slightly lower count this year.
Reflecting on the victory, Chestnut described the contest as an emotional rollercoaster, uncertain whether it would proceed at all. Notably, he had lost the coveted Mustard Belt to YouTube eating sensation Matt Stonie in 2015, who consumed 62 hot dogs compared to Chestnut’s 60.
In the women’s division, defending champion Miki Sudo secured her ninth title by devouring 39 and-a-half hot dogs and buns. She surpassed the runner-up, Mayoi Ebihara, who managed to consume 33 and-a-half hot dogs, despite facing early distractions.
The Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, believed to have originated in 1972, attracted participants from various countries, including England, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, and Australia, showcasing the global reach and popularity of this unique event.