Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest: “Jaws” Bites Again! Joey Chestnut Wins Despite Rain & Sudo Retains Her Title
They Weren’t About To Let It Rain on THEIR Parade!

Defying all odds, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Miki Sudo overcame a stormy weather delay and became Nathan’s Hot Dog contest winners at the celebrated Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Swallowing a whopping 62 hot dogs in just 10 minutes, Chestnut keeps his crown, making this his 16th win.
Massive Storm Delays the Good Eats
Before Chestnut could put his mouth to the test, a massive storm whipped across New York’s Coney Island, causing a nerve-racking two-hour delay in the entertainment event. Thousands of spectators were left in suspense, wondering if the contest would proceed at all and give them their fill of Nathan’s Hot Dog contest winners.
But Chestnut rode the wave and simply declared the situation an “emotional roller coaster.” Despite the unforeseen weather hiccup, Chestnut proved once again that he’s the undisputed king of the dog pile. Hailing from Westfield, Indiana, the 39-year-old first set his sights on the Nathan’s title in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since 2015.
Geoffrey Esper from Oxford, Massachusetts, posed the biggest challenge for Chestnut but ultimately had to settle for second place after wolfing down 49 hot dogs.
Bite-Sized Challenge for Sudo
On the women’s side, reigning champion Miki Sudo held her ground, securing her ninth Mustard Belt by chomping down on 39.5 hot dogs. Sudo was, however, disappointed with her result, which fell short of her all-time high. Although she fell short of her personal record, she managed to out-eat her closest competitor, 27-year-old Mayoi Ebihara, who consumed a mere 33.5 hot dogs.
Nathan’s All-American Tradition
The annual Nathan’s hot dog contest is a cherished Fourth of July tradition that dates back to 1972. Thousands flock to Coney Island, eager to witness the competitive eaters push their stomachs to the limit and become the new Nathan’s Hot Dog contest winners.
This year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog contest was no exception. Despite the raging storm that threatened to cancel the contest, participants and spectators alike waited patiently, their spirits undamped. When the skies finally cleared, the gluttonous feast commenced, marking yet another unforgettable day in the history of Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Stay tuned for more to chew on PointSpreads!
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