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Joey Chestnut, Miki Sudo devour field to defend hot dog titles
ESPN • • general
Key Points:
- Joey Chestnut won the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest for the 18th time by consuming 66 hot dogs, while Miki Sudo secured her 12th victory with 38.75 hot dogs, marking the event's celebration of the United States' 250th birthday.
- Chestnut outpaced 13 international competitors, including second-place finisher Patrick Bertoletti, who ate 50 hot dogs, though he did not challenge his record of 76 hot dogs, citing a heat wave and room for improvement.
- The contest took place amid significant developments, including Nathan's Famous being sold to Smithfield Foods and Chestnut pleading guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge earlier in the year, which did not affect his eligibility to compete.
- Competitors have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible, often dunking the buns in water to ease swallowing; Sudo, who holds the women's record of 51 hot dogs, credited muscle memory and crowd support for her win.
- The event, dating back to 1972, is held annually at the original Nathan's Famous restaurant on Coney Island, drawing participants and spectators from around the world.
