Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, NYC features Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut hoping for a comeback victory
Share this @internewscast.com

CONEY ISLAND — The Nathan’s Famous Independence Day hot dog eating contest has returned, with renowned competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut aiming for his 17th victory on Friday.

The 41-year-old from Westfield, Indiana missed the previous year’s event due to a contract disagreement involving a deal with a rival brand, Impossible Foods, known for its plant-based meat. However, he is back now, stating that the issues have been resolved.

Patrick Bertoletti, of Chicago, won the title in Chestnut’s absence and is the defending men’s champion.

In the women’s category, reigning champion Miki Sudo, 39, from Tampa, Florida, is this year’s top contender, striving for her 11th title. She set a record last year by consuming 51 hot dogs.

The annual gastronomic battle, which dates back to 1972, is held in front of the original Nathan’s Famous’ restaurant at New York’s Coney Island and draws large crowds of fans, many in foam hot dog hats.

Competitors in the men’s and women’s categories chow down as many hot dogs as possible in 10 minutes. They are allowed to dunk the dogs in cups of water to soften them up, creating a stomach-churning spectacle.

The 15 men in the competition hail from across the U.S. and internationally, including Australia, Czech Republic, Canada, England and Brazil.

The 13 women competitors are all Americans.

Joey Chestnut set the world record of eating 76 wieners and buns in 10 minutes on July 4, 2021. He has won a record 16 Mustard Belts. Instead of appearing in New York last year, Chestnut ate 57 dogs – in only five minutes – in an exhibition with soldiers, in El Paso, Texas.

Chestnut told The Associated Press last month that while he was happy to compete at that event, he was “really happy to be back at Coney Island.”

Chestnut said he had never appeared in any commercials for Impossible Foods’ vegan hot dogs and that Nathan’s is the only hot dog company he has worked with. But he acknowledged he “should have made that more clear with Nathan’s.”

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'General Hospital,' 'The View,' 'Live with Kelly and Mark,' and Anthony Mackie are among the Daytime Emmy Awards nominees.

Daytime Emmy Nominations Include ‘General Hospital,’ ‘The View,’ ‘Live with Kelly and Mark,’ and Anthony Mackie

LOS ANGELES — The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has…
Supreme Court blocks Florida immigration law

U.S. Supreme Court Halts Enforcement of Florida’s Immigration Legislation

The Supreme Court blocked Florida’s immigration law, supporting ongoing legal challenges. WASHINGTON…
LSU lands No. 1 college football recruit Lamar Brown in huge get

LSU Secures Top College Football Prospect Lamar Brown in Major Win

The No. 1 recruit in the 2026 recruiting class, according to ESPN’s…
'High Potential' star Javicia Leslie teases a villain twist you won't see coming: "You'll never guess who it was." 

‘High Potential’ Star Javicia Leslie Hints at Unexpected Villain Plot Twist: “You’ll Be Surprised Who It Is.”

LOS ANGELES — The filming of Season 2 of “High Potential” on…
Israel Coalition Against Houthis: Pressuring US for Yemen Strikes

Israel Coalition Advocates for US Intervention: Urging Strikes on Houthis in Yemen

Israel is urging the United States to resume military operations against Yemen’s…
Aryna Sabalenka in heated Wimbledon moment with Amanda Anisimova

Tense Wimbledon Showdown: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova

Sorry, not sorry. The final stretch of Amanda Anisimova’s upset of top…
Is Outlook down? Thousands of users report issues accessing their email

Is Outlook Unavailable? Numerous Users Experiencing Email Access Problems

NEW YORK — Thousands of Microsoft Outlook users experienced issues with the…
Man in a red safety vest standing in a lumberyard.

First Image Released of ‘Superyacht Slasher’ Accused of Stewardess’s Murder in £9.5m Yacht Engine Room Before Her 21st Birthday

THE man accused of murdering young stewardess Paige Bell aboard a £9.5million…
Man busted with anti-government, anti-Trump documents after Texas ICE ambush suspect phone call, feds say

Federal Authorities Claim Texas ICE Ambush Suspect Found with Anti-Government and Anti-Trump Documents

A man accused of tampering with evidence related to the attack on…
Photo of a smiling baby in a field.

Heartbreaking: 1-Year-Old Dies in Overheated Car as Mom Attends Beauty Appointment

A ONE-year-old boy has died a horrific death after being left in…
Texas officials are trying to figure out who's really missing from the floods

Texas Authorities Seek to Identify True Missing Persons Amid Floods

This week in Texas, estimates indicate that 161 people are still missing…
A Border Force vessel rescuing migrants from a small inflatable boat.

Witnessing 78 Migrants Cross to the UK with Farage: A Blow to ‘Stop the Boats’ Efforts

While Keir Starmer introduced his fresh agreement on managing small boats, I…