2025 Hot Dog Eating Contest: Joey Chestnut makes triumphant return as he comfortably regains his title

Joey Chestnut made an emphatic return to the annual July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, comfortably winning his record 17th title on Friday.

After being introduced by the legendary George Shea, the 41-year-old from Westfield, Indiana managed to consume a 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Chestnut was banned from competing last year due to a contract dispute involving a deal he struck with a competing brand, the plant-based meat company Impossible Foods.

He is still working with Impossible Foods but, in the build up to the event, revealed that ‘clarifications’ had been made to his respective contracts.

Earlier on Friday, defending champion Miki Sudo won the women’s competition and her 11th title, downing 33 dogs and buns. Last year, she consumed a record 51 dogs.

‘I feel like I let the fans down a little bit. I heard people in the crowd saying, “Go for 52″‘ Sudo told ESPN afterwards.

‘Obviously, I´m always setting my goals high, but the hot dogs weren´t cooperating. For some reason, the buns felt larger today.’

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 wearing foam hot dog hats.

Chestnut set the world record of eating 76 wieners and buns in 10 minutes on July 4, 2021.

He has now won a record 17 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. 

More to follow.