By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, consuming 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes after missing last year due to a contract dispute. This marked his 17th win in the competition. In the women’s division, Miki Sudo secured her 11th title, eating 33 hot dogs. The annual event, held in Coney Island, Brooklyn, featured a field of international competitors and saw a large crowd in attendance.
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Chestnut reclaims Nathan’s hot dog contest title, and the sports world, or at least the niche corner of it that cares about competitive eating, collectively exhaled. It’s hard to believe, but the annual spectacle at Coney Island once again featured the man, the myth, the legend – Joey Chestnut. This year marked his 17th victory in the iconic competition. It seems like he’s always there, and honestly, I’m not sure if I can even comprehend a Nathan’s hot dog eating contest without him.
Chestnut, now 41, managed to devour an astonishing 70 ½ hot dogs and buns in a mere 10 minutes. While that number is mind-boggling on its own, it’s worth noting that he fell short of his own record set in 2021 when he managed to consume 76. Still, it’s a testament to his skill, dedication, and let’s be honest, his sheer ability to push the boundaries of human consumption. It is incredible!
Speaking of records, it’s easy to forget he missed the competition last year due to a contract dispute. So, in many ways, “reclaiming” the title is accurate, as he never really relinquished it in the arena of his skills. It was more like a temporary absence. He is still the undisputed champ.
This win certainly elicited mixed reactions, just like the contest itself. Some folks, like Jamie Loftus, are probably over the moon. Then there are the people who are left feeling slightly queasy, just at the thought of consuming that many hot dogs. Let’s be honest, even a couple of dogs can leave you feeling a bit heavy.
It’s a genuinely weird competition, no doubt about it. But, there’s also something captivating about it. It’s a uniquely American tradition, a bizarre display of human capability, and something that, despite its absurdity, still manages to capture the attention of millions.
The question of “the Dog” in him is definitely valid. It’s fascinating how this individual can maintain this level of competitive eating for so long. And speaking of competitors, people inevitably ask about the others. What happened to Matt Stonie? He did manage to beat Chestnut once, back in 2015, which is a huge deal considering Chestnut’s dominance. And, of course, there’s the legendary Takeru Kobayashi, who is still the champion in the hearts of many.
The fact that this competition takes place every Fourth of July adds another layer of complexity. Amidst the celebrations of independence, fireworks, and barbecues, there’s this spectacle of extreme consumption. It’s a celebration of, well, something. Maybe it’s excess, maybe it’s resilience, maybe it’s just plain fun. Regardless, it has a certain charm that can make even the most jaded observer crack a smile. It’s a reminder of how much we celebrate some strange things.
And of course, the memes are as plentiful as the hot dogs themselves. Comparisons of Chestnut’s physique to that of a sausage are both hilarious and slightly unsettling. It makes you ponder how much of him is now, quite literally, made up of hot dogs.
There’s also a certain amount of wonder in the fact that this man, this “glizzy gobblin goat,” as some affectionately call him, represents a part of our culture. He’s someone people associate with their patriotic pride and their celebrations. I mean, he’s become an icon.
The over/under on his performance was another point of discussion. It’s amazing that we’ve reached a point where people are betting on the number of hot dogs a human can consume in ten minutes. This year it was 71.5, and he fell short.
And let’s not forget the other, less-heralded competitions that emerge during these events. People always want to know, did the lemonade chug go off without a hitch? It’s a welcome reminder that despite the main event, there’s plenty of room for other displays of food consumption skills.
There’s even a touch of nostalgia in the mix. Thinking back on that 2015 upset from Matt Stonie, you can understand Chestnut’s dominance. It adds a layer of historical context to the competition. The fact that people have memories of watching it for so long is pretty telling.
And the fact that his brother was the marching band instructor of someone’s high school is a testament to the fact that celebrities aren’t as far from the everyday as you think. The world is a small place, it seems.
As for the future? Well, age inevitably catches up with everyone. I’m thinking that perhaps Chestnut might not have many more victories in him. Maybe his reign will end in the next few years. But one thing is for sure, for now, Joey Chestnut remains the king of Coney Island, a champion of gluttony, and a bizarre symbol of American excess. And for a brief ten minutes every year, we all get to witness this uniquely American phenomenon.