“May the king live long!
Joey Chestnut, the reigning champion of competitive eating, achieved an unprecedented 16th victory at the yearly Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
In just 10 minutes, the 39-year-old devoured an astonishing 62 hot dogs and buns, while the enthusiastic crowd cheered him on with resounding chants of “Joey! Joey!” This remarkable feat took place at the iconic Nathan’s flagship restaurant in Coney Island, during the traditional Fourth of July competition.
Amidst the deafening roar of the crowd, Chestnut expressed his elation, stating, “I feel amazing. It’s as if I haven’t eaten anything at all,”.
Face of Adversity and Record-Setting Performances
The competition faced a potential cancellation due to storms passing through Brooklyn. Initially, organizers called off the event but ultimately reversed their decision, rescheduling the match for two hours later.”
Chestnut displayed evident frustration as the event experienced a delay, yet he managed to turn that time into an opportunity to interact with fans, exchanging enthusiastic high-fives, until he was summoned back to the stage amidst a thunderous applause.
Remarkably, within a mere two minutes, the champion had established a significant lead over the other competitors, who comprised some of the finest eaters worldwide. He devoured an astonishing 22 hot dogs, maintaining a pace that set a new world record for the majority of the contest.
Nonetheless, the inclement weather and the chaotic nature of the day likely had an impact on Chestnut’s already astonishing appetite, preventing him from surpassing his personal best of 76 hot dogs.
“The delay proved to be detrimental. Ultimately, I encountered a significant obstacle,” Chestnut confessed.
“I experienced sluggishness. Surprisingly, my jaws tired out quickly, and my usual rhythm was slightly disrupted.
“My nerves were unsettled, but I will overcome this setback. Although I didn’t manage to break the record, I remain determined to return next year and discover a method to achieve it,” he confidently declared.
Recognized as the top-ranked competitive eater by Major League Eating, Chestnut has emerged victorious in nearly every Nathan’s hot dog eating contest since 2007, with only a single exception.
Joey Chestnut’s Record-Breaking Triumphs
In 2021, this individual from Indiana achieved a remarkable feat, setting the current record by devouring 76 hot dogs and buns within the allotted 10-minute timeframe. Notably, this surpassed Chesnut’s previous record from the year before by a margin of one hot dog.
Dubbed “Jaws” for his astounding eating abilities, Chestnut astounded the world with his initial triumph in 2007, defeating the renowned Japanese competitive eating legend, Takeru Kobayashi. In that groundbreaking victory, the American consumed an impressive 66 hot dogs to claim the title, and his insatiable appetite has only grown since then.
Despite recovering from a leg fracture and harboring concerns about a potential repeat of last year’s incident involving a protester storming the stage, where he emerged victorious by consuming 67 hot dogs, surpassing second-place finisher Geoffrey Esper by a margin exceeding 20 hot dogs, Chestnut managed to maintain his unwavering focus on the colossal heap of franks before him. This unwavering determination aimed to solidify his enduring legacy as the reigning champion of hot dog eating.
Chestnut encountered formidable competition from Nick Wehry, the fourth-ranked competitive eater globally, as well as Max Suzuki, the leading eater from Japan.
Geoffrey Esper, hailing from Massachusetts and holding the second position in the world rankings of competitive eaters, secured the runner-up position with a tally of 49 hot dogs. Meanwhile, James Webb from Australia clinched the third position, having devoured 47 franks.
Ongoing Challenges in Competitive Eating
Despite establishing a staggering lead of 13 hot dogs over his competitors, Chestnut expressed ongoing concern about the possibility of his fellow eaters narrowing the gap.
He acknowledged the exceptional skills of his competitors, recognizing their potential to seize any opportunity if he were to underestimate them. “These guys are remarkable. If I underestimate them, they will take advantage,” he stated.
In an effort to further enhance his performance, Chestnut revealed his intention to engage in additional practice sessions under unconventional weather conditions. “I believe I’ll attempt to practice more outdoors, even in unusual weather,” he shared.
Since making the decision to leave his construction job in 2010 and dedicate himself entirely to the world of competitive eating, the accomplished eater has amassed a net worth of $4 million.
Pepto-Bismol, an indigestion remedy, became his initial sponsor and offered him $10,000 to participate in four events. By 2014, his earnings as a competitive eater exceeded $200,000 annually.
In 2022, Chestnut secured a contract with a talent agency, acknowledging that his true talents lie in devouring food rather than managing financial documents.
“I’m really good at eating, but I don’t know my worth. I’m not good at negotiating contracts or making sure the contracts don’t conflict with each other,” he told USA Today.
In addition to hot dogs, Chestnut has showcased his competitive eating prowess in various other contests, including devouring the most cherry pies, donuts, burritos, hamburgers, and chicken wings.
