NEW YORK — Competitive eating icon Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is making his long-awaited return to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest — and he’s hungry for another victory.

The 41-year-old from Westfield, Indiana, is back in the spotlight after missing last year’s contest due to a contract dispute involving his short-lived partnership with plant-based brand Impossible Foods. With the issue now resolved, Chestnut is aiming for a record-extending 17th Mustard Belt this Friday at Coney Island.

“I’m really happy to be back at Coney Island,” Chestnut told The Associated Press last month.
“This is where the competition lives.”

A Comeback After Controversy

Chestnut insists he never promoted Impossible Foods’ vegan hot dogs and says Nathan’s is the only hot dog brand he has officially worked with. But he admits there was a misunderstanding that should’ve been cleared up sooner.

Last year, while absent from the Coney Island stage, Chestnut held a patriotic exhibition in El Paso, Texas — where he devoured 57 hot dogs in just five minutes alongside U.S. soldiers.

His world record still stands: 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, set on July 4, 2021.

The Defending Champions: Bertoletti and Sudo

While Chestnut sat out in 2024, Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago seized the moment, taking the title and the Mustard Belt in Chestnut’s absence. He now returns as the defending men’s champion, setting up a highly anticipated rematch.

In the women’s division, all eyes are on Miki Sudo, 39, from Tampa, Florida. She’s chasing her 11th title after setting a new women’s record last year with 51 hot dogs consumed in 10 minutes.

The Rules: 10 Minutes, All the Hot Dogs You Can Handle

The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, which dates back to 1972, is held annually outside the original Nathan’s restaurant at Coney Island in Brooklyn. The event draws massive crowds — many sporting foam hot dog hats — to witness one of the most bizarre and beloved traditions in American sports.

Competitors in both the men’s and women’s categories have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible. Dunking them in water to make chewing easier is not just allowed — it’s standard practice.

This year’s field includes 15 men from across the U.S. and around the world, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Canada, England, and Brazil. The 13 women competing are all from the United States.

A Tradition Like No Other

The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has become a unique staple of Fourth of July celebrations in America. It blends spectacle, sportsmanship, and stomachs of steel — and nobody has embodied its competitive spirit more than Joey Chestnut.

Now, with his return to the stage where he’s made history, fans are asking: Can Joey “Jaws” reclaim the crown in 2025?

Source: AP News – Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut hopes for a comeback victory in annual Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest

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