Joey Chestnut, Miki Sudo return to defend titles at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is set to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a bang this Saturday. The annual wiener showdown has had quite an eventful year, from the contest sponsor Nathan’s Famous being sold to packaged meat giant Smithfield Foods in January, to reigning men’s champ Joey Chestnut getting into legal trouble for a bar incident in Indiana.

Despite these challenges, the hot dog contest continues with Chestnut and Miki Sudo gearing up to defend their titles in the men’s and women’s divisions. The competition involves contestants consuming as many hot dogs and buns as possible in 10 minutes, with the wieners often being dunked in water to make them easier to swallow.

Miki Sudo, an 11-time winner, holds the women’s record of 51 dogs, while Joey Chestnut has claimed the men’s Mustard Belt 17 times and set the men’s record with an impressive 76 franks. Although Chestnut is still on probation for the battery case, he has been cleared to compete in the contest and is allowed to travel outside Indiana.

Despite the legal issues, Chestnut’s lawyer has stated that the bar incident was a misunderstanding and that Chestnut has taken responsibility for his actions. The hot dog contest organizer, Major League Eating, has confirmed that the criminal case did not affect Chestnut’s eligibility for the competition.

The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, which dates back to 1972, takes place in front of the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in New York’s Coney Island. The event has become a beloved tradition, drawing competitors and spectators from all over the country to witness the thrilling and sometimes stomach-churning spectacle of competitive eating.