Joey Chestnut Braces Rain Interruption to Retain Championship at Nathan’s Independence Day Hot Dog Eating Contest

Pro eating legend Joey “Jaws” Chestnut overcame a rain interruption to secure another victory at the much-celebrated Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. He triumphed by consuming 62 hot dogs and buns within a mere span of 10 minutes.

By devouring his competitors, Chestnut outpaced Geoffrey Esper, the second-place contender, and 14 other international challengers by a substantial margin to grab his 16th championship title. Esper, hailing from Oxford, Massachusetts, managed to consume 49 hot dogs and buns.

In the women’s contest, the reigning champion Miki Sudo swallowed 39 1/2 hot dogs and buns to claim her ninth Mustard Belt. However, before the men’s contest could begin, inclement weather hit New York City’s Coney Island, resulting in a two-hour delay in the competition.

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Following the weather-induced suspense, an exhilarated Chestnut stated, “What a roller coaster, emotionally,” after surviving the rainfall and uncertainty regarding the contest’s continuity. The 39-year-old Westfield, Indiana native first vied for the Nathan’s title in 2005 and has retained it without fail since 2015.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1 of 7: Miki Sudo in the midst of the hot dog eating contest at the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July event in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

2 of 7: Joey Chestnut jubilantly celebrating his 16th championship win at the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

3 of 7: Joey Chestnut in action during the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

4 of 7: Miki Sudo acknowledging fans during the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

5 of 7: Adam Moran, a competitive eater, during the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

6 of 7: A supporter displaying a sign bearing Joey Chestnut’s face during the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

7 of 7: Crowd congregating for the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Chestnut’s record was 76 hot dogs in 2021, but the unpredictable weather on Tuesday made a similar feat impossible this year. “Everybody got messed up,” reflected Chestnut.

In the women’s competition, Sudo narrowly surpassed Mayoi Ebihara’s count of 33 1/2 hot dogs consumed in 10 minutes. Until the final count was declared, it seemed like a neck-and-neck contest. A final evaluation of plates confirmed the winner.

Disappointed with her winning tally, nine hot dogs shy of her personal best, 37-year-old Sudo admitted that the pressure from the 27-year-old Ebihara had unsettled her.

“The first couple minutes, I found myself watching her, which I never want to do. I never want to be distracted by the other competitors,” remarked Sudo, a Port Richey, Florida resident, post-competition. “Watching her, I fumbled my hands. I got stuck with a big burp early on but was able to correct.”

Competitors for this annual Coney Island event in New York City hailed from England, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, and Australia, as reported by ESPN.

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More about Hot dog eating contest

• Joey Chestnut shakes off rain delay and defends title at Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog contest
• Miki Sudo wins women’s Nathan’s hot dog eating contest
• Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest
• Joey Chestnut’s official website
• Miki Sudo’s official website