Frankfurter-eating phenom in New York Joey “Jaws” Chestnut devoured 63 hot dogs and buns to win the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating competition on Monday for the 15th time in a row.
Julia Nikhinson/AP
After avoiding the frank fest last year due to being pregnant, women’s record-holder Miki Sudo consumed 40 wieners and buns to win the women’s title.
On Monday, the competition returned to its customary spot outside Nathan’s flagship store in Brooklyn’s Coney Island district. The coronavirus epidemic caused the event to be moved in 2020 and the previous year.
Chestnut, 38, said after pulling off the feat while donning a surgical boot due to a leg ailment, “It’s amazing to be back here.” The 38-year-old accomplished it in front of a large crowd of onlookers.
“I was in the zone for a little while, but it aches. I was oblivious to it, “Chestnut, but the discomfort gradually made him move more slowly during the 10-minute battle.
By devouring 76 franks and buns the previous year, the Westfield, Indiana, resident broke his own record.
Prior to taking the previous year off while pregnant, Sudo, a woman from Tampa, Florida, set the women’s record of 48 1/2 weiners and buns in 2020. On July 8, 2021, she gave birth to their son Max with Nick Wehry, a fellow competitive eater they had met through the Nathan’s competition in 2018.
The infant observed his 36-year-old mother achieve her eighth Nathan’s victory while in his father’s arms. She later expressed her hope that he would learn a lesson from it in an interview with ESPN.
“I want to set an example, she added, encouraging people to pursue their passions, push themselves to the limit, and persevere in the face of adversity. Additionally, you never know—you might actually succeed.”
Then, as Wehry competed for the men’s crown, Sudo took over the parental responsibilities.
In conjunction with the show, Nathan’s donates 100,000 hot dogs to the New York City Food Bank.