The annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, held on July 4, 2024, in Coney Island, New York, crowned new champions amidst unexpected circumstances. Patrick Bertoletti, a 39-year-old from Chicago, emerged victorious in the men’s division, consuming 58 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. This marked Bertoletti’s first win in the competition and a personal best, though it was the lowest winning total since 2010.The event took an unexpected turn due to the absence of Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut, the 16-time champion who had dominated the competition for years. Chestnut was barred from participating due to a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat company that competes with Nathan’s. This disqualification sparked controversy, with Chestnut challenging Major League Eating’s claim that the contest’s sponsorship rules were the same as in previous years.In the women’s division, Miki Sudo, a 38-year-old dental hygiene student from Tampa, Florida, continued her reign by securing her 10th title. Sudo set a new world record for women by consuming 51 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, surpassing her previous record of 48 1/2.The competition, which dates back to 1916, drew thousands of spectators to Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant in Brooklyn. It featured 14 competitors from five continents in the women’s division and 13 in the men’s, highlighting its international appeal.While Chestnut couldn’t compete in the main event, he isn’t stepping away from competitive eating entirely. He is set to compete against soldiers at a U.S. Army base in El Paso, Texas, later on July 4th. Additionally, fans can look forward to a showdown between Chestnut and his rival Takeru Kobayashi in an all-beef hot dog battle scheduled for Labor Day, to be streamed on Netflix.
Key points
- Patrick Bertoletti won the men’s division of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, consuming 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
- Miki Sudo set a new women’s world record with 51 hot dogs, winning her 10th title.
- Joey Chestnut, 16-time champion, was disqualified due to a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods.
- The contest drew international competitors and thousands of spectators.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in reporting Bertoletti’s age, with some sources stating 26 and others 39.
👾The exact number of competitors varies slightly between reports, with some mentioning 13 and others 14 in the women’s division.
