Joey Chestnut reclaims hot dog title; 2nd place for Tucson's Michelle Lesco
Competitive eater Joey “Jaws†Chestnut reclaimed his title Friday at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Tucson's Michelle Lesco finished second to Miki Sudo, in the women's division.
Chestnut, 41, consumed 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, falling short of his 2021 record of 76 wieners and buns. It marked the 17th win in 20 appearances for the Westfield, Indiana, eater at the internationally televised competition, which he missed last year over a contract dispute.
Chestnut bested 14 fellow competitors from across the U.S. and the world, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England and Brazil. Last year's winner, Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, came in second place after gobbling up 46 1/2 hot dogs and buns, falling short of the 58 he ate to earn the 2024 men’s title.
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“I wish I ate a couple more. Sorry guys,†a smiling Chestnut told the crowd, many chanting his name. “I’ll be back next year.â€
Defending champion in the women’s division, Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, won her 11th title, downing 33 dogs, besting a dozen competitors, including Lesco.
“I feel like I let the fans down a little bit. I heard people in the crowd saying, ‘Go for 52,’†Sudo told ESPN. “Obviously, I’m always setting my goals high, but the hot dogs weren’t cooperating. For some reason, the buns felt larger today.â€
