As the United States celebrates the Independence Day with fireworks displays, Joey Chestnut wolfed down 76 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes to win the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. This was Chestnut’s 14th victory in the last 15 years.
Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut is the world’s top-ranked hot-dog devourer. On Sunday, he downed 26 more buns and frankfurters than his closest opponent Geoffrey Esper. Chestnut even broke his record of having 75 hot dogs and buns that he had set in the 2020 Fourth of July holiday event.
The 37-year-old has now won 14 of the last 15 contests since he defeated the six-time defending champion, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, in 2007. His only defeat in that time was to Matt Stonie in 2015.
After the victory, Chestnut said that it felt good. The victory was even sweeter, as the event was held in front of 5,000 spectators, unlike last year’s indoor event. Lingering pandemic restrictions meant the contest wasn’t held outside Nathan’s hot dog shop at Brooklyn’s Coney Island, but at a nearby minor league baseball park with 5,000 spectators.
“Even if I was uncomfortable, having everybody cheer me and push me, it made me feel good,” Chestnut told broadcaster ESPN.
Chestnut, who is currently ranked first in Major League Eating, broke into the competitive eating scene as a college student in 2005. The San Jose State University student delivered a stellar performance in the deep-fried asparagus eating championship. In 11.5 minutes, Chestnut gulped down 6.3 pounds of asparagus.
In the same year, he made his mark at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, downing 32 hot dogs and buns to finish third. Chestnut also set a world record at the Arizona State Fair after he gulped 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in ten minutes.
