Joey Chestnut Clinches 18th Nathan’s Title Eating 66 Hot Dogs in Sweltering Heat
The American eating champion fell short of his record 76 but still out-ate runner-up by 15 franks; Miki Sudo won the women’s event with 38.75 hot dogs.
Joey Chestnut secured his 18th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest title on Saturday, consuming 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes before a sweltering Coney Island crowd. The 42-year-old from Indiana did not immediately dominate; Patrick Bertoletti and James Webb stayed close for the first 90 seconds before Chestnut accelerated, reaching 28 dogs at the three-minute mark and extending his lead to 10 at the halfway point. Despite chants from spectators as he passed 50, the triple-digit heat-index temperatures hampered his pursuit of the world record 76 he set in 2021. ‘I can do much better,’ he admitted afterwards, acknowledging the conditions.
The victory extends a storied career that hit a rare hiatus in 2024, when Chestnut was barred from the contest after signing an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a rival to Nathan’s. He returned in 2025 and reclaimed the belt with 70.5 hot dogs. This year, his participation was again under a cloud: he competed while serving 180 days of probation for a misdemeanour battery charge stemming from a drunken altercation in an Indiana bar. Major League Eating officials confirmed the case did not affect his eligibility, and an Indiana court permitted his travel to New York.
Earlier, Miki Sudo claimed her 12th women’s championship by eating 38¾ hot dogs, improving on her 2025 total and edging closer to her own record of 51. Michelle Lesco finished second with 22. From a European perspective, the event, held on America’s 250th Independence Day, appeared as a peculiar but enduring display of competitive consumption, now under the stewardship of new owner Smithfield Foods. The contest remains deeply entwined with national celebration, drawing thousands despite the extreme heat.
Chestnut’s probation does not bar him from future competitions, according to Major League Eating, setting the stage for another title defence next July. His winning margin of 15 hot dogs over runner-up Bertoletti and the absence of any serious challenge signal that, for now, the Mustard Belt’s greatest obstacle is his own record.
How the same story is told elsewhere.
2 editorial groups · 2 languages
Joey Chestnut won the July 4 hot dog contest for the 18th time, eating 66 franks in 10 minutes. However, an ironic tone in some comments questions the seriousness of the competition, as if it were more of a farce than a sport. The acknowledgment of the record does not hide a certain condescension toward the event.
Joey Chestnut is celebrated as the undisputed champion and GOAT of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, winning his 18th title by devouring 66 hot dogs. The narrative emphasizes his dominance, legendary status, and the excitement of the event, often overlooking any controversies. The focus is on his personal achievement and the entertainment value of the contest.
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