Joey “Jaws” Chestnut extended his reign as champion eater at the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest Wednesday, downing a record 74 wieners and buns in 10 minutes to take home the coveted Mustard Belt for an 11th time.
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Miki Sudo held onto her title as the top women’s competitor at the annual Brooklyn eat-off, chomping 37 franks and buns to take home the top prize for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year.
“I found a vicious rhythm,” the 34-year-old Chestnut said after the stuffing session. “I was feeling good today.”
Joey Chestnut pauses for breath during the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Photo: Agence France-Presse
Joey Chestnut (centre) competes in the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4. Photo: Agence France-Presse
But while Chestnut ate 10 more dogs and buns than second-place finisher Carmen Cincotti, a judging error cast initial doubt over their totals after jurists didn’t see the eaters were taking the dogs and buns from two plates.
“Frankly, the judging was just off,” George Shea, the long-time Coney Island announcer, told Associated Press. “Joey said, ‘look at my plates’ and Carmen said ‘look at my plates.’ We counted the plates that they had eaten and it was 64 and 74.”
Miki Sudo celebrates after winning the women's annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 at Coney Island. Photo: Agence France-Presse
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Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn district lawyer, certified the final tally and Chestnut’s record of 74, two more than he consumed last year.
