Joey Chestnut Wins Hot Dog Eating Contest After Demanding Competition Start Despite Cancelation

By Jenna Anderson

Joey Chestnut has taken home the crown of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest yet again. Chestnut, who has won the men's contest eight times in a row and sixteen times overall, took home the prize by eating a whopping 62 hot dogs in ten minutes. Eight-time champion Miki Sudo won the women's competition, with 39.5 dogs in ten minutes. The annual July 4th contest made headlines on Tuesday, after severe weather and lightning delays were going to potentially delay the men's competition. While reports had initially suggested that the Hot Dog Eating Contest had a chance of being canceled altogether, it was later rescheduled for 2pm E.T. A tweet from reporter Kenneth Heasley seemed to suggest that Chestnut played a role in the men's contest being put back on.

"They told us it was canceled," Chestnut said after winning the contest. "We weren't sure we were gonna eat today. I'm just happy. It's the 4th of July, I got to eat some hot dogs and get a win... I feel great. I've got leftover room, so I'll be having some beers later."

What Is Joey Chestnut's Record?

Back in 2020, Chestnut once again clenched the world record for HDB (hot dogs and buns) eaten within ten minutes, with a total of 75. He had previously set the record of 74 HDB in 2018.

"We have gotten more inquiries than ever and I think some of it came from when we announced that we were doing the event no matter what, that really touched a nerve," Major League Eating commissioner George Shea told ComicBook.com at the time. "And it got a lot of press and a lot of people said, "You know what? rock on." And I've gotten tons of calls and we hand them off to Sam on our team who manages that. But lots of people have contests — barbecue, chicken wings — and so will they happen this year? I think next year. So I think that what happens is we have to get to 2021, I think in order to do what we do best, which is to hold a live event where people go, "Ww, I wasn't expecting that, that was exciting, that was hilarious, I'm coming back next year."

"That's kind of what we deliver, this stealth product where everybody goes, 'Is Joey coming in? Are the top eaters coming in to eat big numbers?'" Shea continued. "And then they go wait, "That was really fun, the whole thing." That requires a live audience, that requires 2021, and really honestly, that requires a vaccine. So I think we are going to be doing virtual events, but when you do a virtual event, now you're talking about eating proper, right? You're gonna get me in the hat, you're gonna get Richard commenting and being the host, but you're not getting that vibe of the energy of the crowd. But we will be doing virtual events, but [returing to live events] a 2021 play, I think."

What do you think of Joey Chestnut winning the 2023 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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