Joey Chestnut “very hopeful” to compete in hot dog eating contest: “I’ll be hungry”

Joey Chestnut, the 16-time winner of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, is currently not permitted to compete in the 2024 event due to a brand partnership he signed with Impossible Foods, a rival of Nathan’s. Major League Eating ruled him out of the competition because of this deal. Despite this setback, Chestnut remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached so he can participate in the iconic Fourth of July contest in Coney Island.

In the meantime, Chestnut is set to face off against former champion Takeru Kobayashi in a Netflix-streamed event on September 2. Kobayashi was the reigning king of the sport before Chestnut dethroned him, making this upcoming competition an exciting rematch between the two competitive eaters. Chestnut expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating that he is looking forward to competing against his biggest rival once again.

While Joey Chestnut is best known for his impressive hot dog eating abilities, he also holds records in various other food challenges. His website states that he travels 200 days of the year to compete, showcasing his versatility as a competitive eater. Some of his notable records include eating 32 Big Macs in 38 minutes, 44 Raising Cane’s chicken fingers in five minutes, and 61½ four-ounce pork roll sandwiches in 10 minutes. Despite facing challenges, such as a protester at the 2022 event, Chestnut continues to dominate the competitive eating world.

Joey Chestnut, a 40-year-old athlete widely regarded as the greatest of all time in his sport, has maintained his dominance in the competitive eating scene. He has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest almost every year since 2007, with the exception of a defeat by Matt Stonie in 2015. However, Chestnut bounced back from that loss and has since secured eight consecutive victories. His remarkable performance, including setting a world record with 76 hot dogs and buns in the 2021 contest, solidifies his reputation as a legendary competitive eater.

Despite the current restrictions preventing him from competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut remains focused on his passion for competitive eating. His dedication to the sport, along with his numerous records and victories, solidifies his status as a true icon in the world of competitive eating. Fans can look forward to seeing Chestnut in action as he continues to wow audiences with his impressive eating skills and competitive spirit.