Joey Chestnut Wins Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

The Fourth of July means hot dogs, fireworks, and patriotism. Joey Chestnut combined all three in Coney Island.

First came the fireworks. The competitive food-eating champion proposed to girlfriend Neslie Ricasa immediately prior to defending his hot-dog-eating title. The sequence matters. Professional eaters occasionally projectile vomit following the dog-eat-dog competition. Who says “yes” to that?

Then came the hot dogs. Chestnut scarfed down 61 of them in ten minutes to once again reign supreme at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Matt Stonie placed with 51 dogs and Eater X gobbled 44, which was good enough to show. Miki Sudo devoured the most franks among the women with 34.

Finally, Chestnut brought the patriotism. The victory marks the eighth consecutive time the American has raised the mustard belt aloft after the internationally-contested competition. Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi had possessed the record prior to Chestnut at six straight wins. A contract dispute has sadly prevented the diminutive big-eater from participating in the contest in recent years.

Photo credit: Getty Images