Today : Jul 05, 2025
Sports
05 July 2025

Joey Chestnut Reclaims Nathan's Hot Dog Title Again

After a one-year ban, Chestnut returns to win his 17th title as Miki Sudo secures her 11th championship in the 2025 Nathan's Famous contest

On July 4, 2025, the iconic Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest returned to its traditional Coney Island stage, delivering high drama and thrilling performances from the world’s top competitive eaters. After a one-year hiatus due to a sponsorship dispute, Joey Chestnut, the legendary eater from Westfield, Indiana, reclaimed his crown by winning the men’s competition for the 17th time. Meanwhile, Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, continued her dominance in the women’s division by capturing her 11th title.

Chestnut’s return was highly anticipated after missing the 2024 contest due to a contract disagreement with Major League Eating and Nathan’s Famous. The dispute stemmed from Chestnut’s endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat company that conflicted with Nathan’s exclusivity rules. Major League Eating had announced in June 2024 that Chestnut would be banned from competing that year, citing a breach of longstanding hot dog exclusivity provisions. Chestnut later clarified to The Associated Press that he had never appeared in commercials for Impossible Foods’ vegan hot dogs and affirmed that Nathan’s was the only hot dog company he had ever worked with. After months of negotiations and “finding common ground,” Chestnut announced his return in June 2025, expressing excitement to rejoin the competition he described as “a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”

The men’s contest kicked off at 11:45 a.m. at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues, drawing a lively crowd adorned with foam hot dog hats and eager to witness Chestnut’s comeback. From the start, Chestnut showed his trademark intensity, downing 11 hot dogs in the first minute and reaching 46 by the halfway mark. Despite a slower finish in the last two minutes, he finished with an impressive total of 70.5 hot dogs and buns consumed in 10 minutes. While this fell short of his own official world record of 76 set in 2021, it was enough to secure the Mustard Belt once again. Chestnut admitted post-competition that he wished he had eaten more, saying, “My goal was 70 to 77, but I wanted a bit more. Showing up is the hardest part sometimes. I love doing it and pushing myself.”

Chestnut’s victory was not without competition. Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, the 2024 champion who had eaten 58 hot dogs to claim the previous title, finished second with 46.5 hot dogs. James Webb rounded out the podium in third place with 45.5. The event was emceed by George Shea, cofounder of Major League Eating, who expressed enthusiasm about Chestnut’s return, calling it “the greatest sporting event in the history of sports.”

Chestnut’s competitive eating journey is storied and intense. He first unseated the legendary Takeru Kobayashi in 2006, who had dominated the contest from 2001 to 2006. Chestnut then held the title for eight consecutive years before a brief upset by Matt Stonie in 2015. Since reclaiming the title in 2016, Chestnut had maintained his reign until his 2024 ban. Notably, Chestnut holds an unofficial record of 83 hot dogs and buns from his 2024 “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef” competition, streamed live on Netflix. His 2025 performance, while not record-breaking, reaffirmed his position as the greatest competitive eater in Nathan’s history.

On the women’s side, Miki Sudo, the reigning champion from 2024, successfully defended her title by eating 33 hot dogs and buns, securing her 11th Pink Belt. Although this total was significantly lower than her record-setting 51 hot dogs consumed last year, Sudo remained gracious and candid. “I feel like I let the fans down a little bit,” she told ESPN. “I heard people in the crowd saying, ‘Go for 52.’ Obviously, I’m always setting my goals high, but the hot dogs weren’t cooperating. For some reason, the buns felt larger today.”

The women’s competition began earlier at 10:45 a.m., with Sudo quickly establishing a lead. Michelle Lesco finished second with 22.75 hot dogs, followed closely by Domenica Dee with 22.5. The women’s field was deep, featuring competitors such as Tandra Childress, Katie Prettyman, and others, but Sudo’s experience and skill kept her comfortably ahead throughout.

The event’s total prize purse was $40,000, split between the men’s and women’s divisions. First-place finishers in each category took home $10,000, with $5,000 and $2,500 awarded to second and third places respectively. The contest, held outside the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island since 1972, was broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN3, continuing a partnership that began in 2004 and was extended through 2029.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, actor Ryan Reynolds appeared in a Mint Mobile commercial aired during the broadcast, humorously highlighting the wireless company’s steadfast $15 plans alongside Richard Galanti, former CFO of Costco. The ad playfully referenced Costco’s legendary $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, which has remained unchanged for four decades, tying into the event’s celebration of enduring American traditions.

Chestnut’s return and victory not only restored the familiar hierarchy of Nathan’s competitive eating but also underscored the intense passion and dedication required to excel in this unique sport. His 17th Mustard Belt win further cements his legacy as one of North America’s greatest sports champions. Meanwhile, Sudo’s continued reign in the women’s division highlights her remarkable consistency and competitive spirit.

As the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest concludes, fans are already buzzing about what next year’s competition might bring. Will Chestnut aim to break his own record of 76 hot dogs and buns? Can Sudo reclaim her record-setting form? For now, the Mustard Belt remains with the two reigning champions who have defined the sport for over a decade, celebrating the Fourth of July with a feast of speed, skill, and American flavor.