Who says a little lightning and heavy rain can stop the unstoppable? Not Joey Chestnut, that's for sure!
Picture this: an epic battle against Mother Nature at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the vibrant shores of Coney Island. Dark clouds loomed, thunder cracked, and rain poured down, but Chestnut remained undeterred. After a nail-biting two-hour delay, he emerged victorious, clinching his 16th title in a staggering 17 years!
With the crowd on their feet, cheering with every bite, Chestnut devoured a mind-blowing 62 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes. Talk about a Fourth of July spectacle! The runner-up, Geoffrey Esper, managed an impressive 49 hot dogs, but it was clear that Chestnut was in a league of his own.
ESPN's telecast caught up with the champion during the whirlwind of emotions. "What a rollercoaster ride," Chestnut exclaimed, referring to the weather delay. "They even told us it was canceled at one point. We had doubts about whether we'd be able to feast today. But hey, it's the Fourth of July, and I got to chomp on some delicious hot dogs and snag another victory!"
While Chestnut fell short of his own record of 76 hot dogs, he still left his competitors in the dust. He even graciously admitted that the weather delay affected his performance. "I still have room for more," he revealed with a smirk. "So I'll definitely be treating myself to some celebratory beers later!"
In the realm of hot dog eating, Chestnut is a force to be reckoned with. Since 2007, he has experienced defeat only once, at the hands (or should we say jaws) of Matt Stonie in 2015. However, in the following six years, Chestnut devoured no fewer than 70 hot dogs each time, firmly securing his grip on the coveted mustard belt.
Last year's contest was a true testament to Chestnut's resilience. Despite competing on a broken right leg and enduring the loss of his mother less than three weeks prior, he devoured an impressive 63 hot dogs. Looking back, it's incredible that he even had the willpower to compete. But this year, he's feeling better than ever and ready to take on any challenge that comes his way.
Remember the chaos of last year's contest when a protester stormed the stage? Well, fear not, dear fans, because this year's event went off without a hitch! No distractions, no surprises, just pure hot dog-eating excitement.
But let's not forget about the ladies who dominated the competition! Miki Sudo, a true force of nature herself, snagged her ninth title by devouring an impressive 39½ hot dogs and buns. She proved that she's a force to be reckoned with, even with the threat of Mayo Ebihara from Japan nipping at her heels. Sudo admitted to a few early jitters due to the competition, but she quickly regained her composure and powered through.
Skipping a year doesn't mean losing your touch, as Sudo demonstrated. In 2021, she decided to skip the contest because she was busy bringing new life into the world—literally. But this year, she reclaimed her rightful place at the top of the hot dog-eating pyramid.
Both Chestnut and Sudo walked away with a well-deserved $10,000 prize for conquering their divisions. Talk about a tasty reward for their unmatched skills and insatiable appetites!