Joey Chestnut chows down 63 hot dogs to win 2022 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, his 15th victory in 16 years
Joey Chestnut showed that his physical injury would have no bearing on his appetite, securing victory in front of the Coney Island crowd.
Chestnut’s ruptured tendon injury and the recent loss of his mother failed to stop the 38-year-old champion, who devoured 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes at the annual Independence Day event. Despite falling short of his own personal best of 76 dogs eaten last year, Chestnut claimed the Mustard Belt, out-eating second-place finisher Geoffrey Esper with just 47 and a half hot dogs.
He has now secured 15 of the last 16 hot dog eating contests since taking down six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi in 2007, with his only loss in 2015 to Matt Stonie. This is also his seventh win in a row.
Chestnut has now amassed a monumental total of 1,152 dogs throughout his career, with it becoming common practice for the champ to battle his own records as opposed to his competition.
What did Joey Chestnut have to say prior to today’s competition?
Chestnut told USA TODAY Sports:
“Most athletes have two kinds of primes. Their first prime is when their body is the best. I’ve passed that prime. The second prime is when their mind and knowledge is at its best, where you know your body and how to practice less but be just as prepared. I’m there now.”
(H/T USA Today)
Early on in the men’s competition a protestor bizarrely invaded the stage to bump into Chestnut, who responded by placing the protestor in a chokehold before security escorted them away, allowing Chestnut to continue his eating endeavor.
In the women’s division earlier in the day, Miki Sudo reclaimed her title after taking a year out whilst pregnant. The 36-year-old, currently injured herself with a wrist problem, ate 40 hot dogs and was just short of her own personal best of 48 and a half hot dogs.
The event was watched on by thousands of fans on Independence Day, the first year since 2019 where they could do so. The annual hot dog contest has been a staple competition on July 4th every year since 1916.
