Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the defending champion, managed to consume an impressive 62 hot dogs and buns within 10 minutes, securing his fifth consecutive Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest victory…as well as the prized yellow mustard belt.
What’s a high-stakes sports event without an unexpected twist?
This twist arrived on Monday in the form of Takeru Kobayashi, a rogue eater who couldn’t participate in the Nathan’s contest due to a contract dispute with Major League Eating.
At just 33 years old, Kobayashi, a winner of six consecutive Nathan’s Famous titles from 2001 to 2006, organized a concurrent protest event at a rooftop bar on Fifth Avenue. During this unconventional event, he consumed 69 hot dogs bought from a Nathan’s location within the same time frame as Chestnut and subsequently celebrated by raising his arms in triumph.
“I think I showed them,” he stated, expressing confidence that he could one day achieve a total of 85 or 90 hot dogs.
Meanwhile, at Coney Island, Chestnut, a construction manager from San Jose, California, effortlessly dominated the competition after an initial fierce challenge from Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti of Chicago, who ended up eating 53 hot dogs.
“I feel great,” he proclaimed, wrapped in an American flag and holding a bottle of Pepto-Bismol, one of the event’s sponsors.
“Listen, I’m getting paid to eat.
“It’s not such a bad life.”
In the same 10-minute window, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas managed to consume 40 hot dogs and buns, just one short of her personal record, to capture the women’s title.
Juliet Lee and Stephanie Torres ended up tied for second place, each with 29 hot dogs consumed.
All of these eminent “weapons of mass digestion,” a term fondly used by the Major League Eating Organization, walked away with a $10,000 prize from the yearly Coney Island spectacle.
Chestnut hinted at new challenges that lie ahead for him.
“I’ve never done oysters or hard-boiled eggs,” he remarked.
His approach to eating…if that’s what it can be termed…involved dipping his hot dogs and buns in hot water prior to devouring them—a strategy he previously mentioned that helps to ease the tension in his throat muscles.
At the same time, he bounced on his toes, transforming his arms into effective shoveling tools.
Among the 17 male competitors, Gravy Brown from Chicago withdrew midway through, while the remaining participants pushed through to the end despite the overcast skies and humidity.
Tim “Eater X” Janus from New York City secured third place, consuming 45 hot dogs.
Chestnut’s achievements extend well beyond hot dogs.
Buford Balony says: I’m attempting to coordinate with the editor to bring Chestnut & Kobayashi to Collie WA for a jaw-to-jaw match race for $20,000.
If readers are interested, please email or comment on this article.