He\u2019s top dog again.<\/p>\n
Competitive eating legend Joey Chestnut was once again crowned champion of Nathan\u2019s Hot Dog Eating Contest in his triumphant return to the Fourth of July competition after skipping last year due to a\u00a0sponsorship dispute\u00a0<\/a>with a vegan wiener brand.<\/p>\n Chestnut, 41, scarfed down an incredulous 70.5 hot dogs in front of a raucous crowd in Coney Island on Friday and reclaimed the Mustard Belt for a record 17th time. The feat was close but not close enough to beat his own record of 76 franks he set at the competition in 2021.<\/p>\n Competitive eating legend Joey Chestnut was once again crowned champion of Nathan\u2019s Hot Dog Eating Contest in his triumphant return to the Fourth of July competition. Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cMan, I wish I didn\u2019t need a couple more. I\u2019m sorry guys,\u201d Chestnut said after the scarf-fest. \u201cMy goal was 70-77 \u2014 I really wanted a little bit more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut yeah, I\u2019ll be back next year,\u201d he added. \u201cI\u2019m just happy I\u2019m here, and happy Fourth of July.\u201d<\/p>\n Chestnut as he was announced the winner at this year\u2019s contest after eating 70.5 hot dogs. Getty Images<\/p>\n The champ noted that despite the sure-handed victory over his 14 competitors, this was his first Nathan\u2019s competition since he turned 40, and he was feeling his age.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s going to keep getting harder and harder to break records \u2014 I\u2019ll figure it out,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMan, I wish I could have ate a couple more. I\u2019m sorry, guys,\u201d said Chestnut, who did not beat his 76-hot-dog record he set in 2021. \u201cMy goal was 70 to 77.\u201d Getty Images<\/p>\n Chestnut made his eagerly-awaited return after he was bounced from the contest in 2024 over his\u00a0deal with Impossible Foods<\/a>, which had recently launched a plant-based hot dog.<\/p>\n The Indiana native\u2019s wild fans \u2014 many donning hot dog hats \u2014 roared for 10 minutes straight as Chestnut shoveled scores of glizzies into his mouth in his typical fashion: two hot dogs at a time, followed by two buns.<\/p>\n Patrick Bertoletti, who was able to dominate last July 4 with Chestnut absent, didn\u2019t even come close Friday with 46.5 hot dogs and buns consumed.<\/p>\n Joey Chestnut during the 2025 Nathan\u2019s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, at Coney Island, Brooklyn. REUTERS<\/p>\n Last year, Bertoletti scarfed down 58 dogs and buns and became the first person since 2015 not named Chestnut to win the Nathan\u2019s Hot Dog Eating Competition.<\/p>\n At his weigh-in Thursday, the top dog said last year\u2019s beef wouldn\u2019t hold him back.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back next year,\u201d Chestnut said. \u201cI\u2019m just happy I\u2019m here, and happy Fourth of July.\u201d Paul Martinka for the NYPost<\/p>\n Chestnut skipped last year\u2019s competition due to a\u00a0sponsorship dispute\u00a0with a vegan wiener brand. Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t burn any bridges. I love this event. I was willing to keep talking and I\u2019m happy we figured it out,\u201d Chestnut said.<\/p>\n So are his fans.<\/p>\n Signs Friday at Coney Island read: \u201cJoey Chestnut, come take a spin on the cyclone baby! Coney Island misses you\u201d and \u201cJoey Chestnut I want to have your baby.\u201d<\/p>\n Joey Chestnut\u2019s name is placed before the men\u2019s competition at Nathan\u2019s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City. Getty Images<\/p>\n And when Major League Eating event organizer George Shea declared \u201cJoey Chestnut is back,\u201d the crowd erupted.<\/p>\n The wholesome, if ridiculous, contest draws thousands of cheering fans from all over the country to New York City\u2019s iconic boardwalk each Independence Day since its official inception in 1972.<\/p>\n