

The unofficial real-time counter showed the two leaders tied throughout much of the competition. Sudo beat Mayoi Ebihara’s 33 1/2 hot dogs in 10 minutes in a women's event that appeared to be much closer until the final count was announced. “Everybody got messed up,” Chestnut said. His best finish was in 2021 when he tallied 76 hot dogs, but Tuesday's weather disruption made a repeat impossible. The 39-year-old from Westfield, Indiana first competed for the Nathan's title in 2005 and hasn't lost it since 2015. “What a roller coaster, emotionally,” Chestnut said after riding out the rain and wondering whether the famed contest would go on at all. He downs 62 hot dogs to claim his 16th Mustard Belt 🏆 /PbcOkt1gVc- ESPN July 4, 2023 Not even a weather delay can stop Joey Chestnut 😤

The FDNY later said the person was in the vicinity of the lightning strike and was transported as a precaution. Fire department officials say first responders transported someone to a local hospital to be treated for electrocution. But before the men could compete, stormy weather moved over Coney Island and delayed the competition for two hours.Īround the time officials initially delayed the hot dog eating contest, there were reports of a possible lightning strike at the beach. In the women's contest, defending champion Miki Sudo forced down 39 1/2 hot dogs and buns to collect her ninth Mustard Belt. Esper, of Oxford, Massachusetts managed to ingest 49 hot dogs and buns. Eating superstar Joey “Jaws” Chestnut shook off a rain delay and gobbled his way to another win at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, downing 62 franks and buns in 10 minutes.Ĭhestnut out ate runner-up Geoffrey Esper and the rest of an international field of 15 competitive eaters by double digits to clinch his 16th title.
