Joey Chestnut extended his dominance at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, finishing with 66 hot dogs and buns to claim his 18th title. The win — Chestnut’s 10th consecutive Fourth of July victory — came amid legal and travel restrictions that drew attention before the event.
Joey Chestnut result and key stats
Chestnut crossed the official horn with a total of 66 hot dogs and buns, securing his 18th Nathan’s championship in the men’s division.
- Winner: Joey Chestnut — 66 hot dogs and buns
- Title count: 18 Nathan’s championships
- Consecutive Fourth of July wins: 10
- Location: Coney Island, New York
How the contest unfolded
The contest followed the traditional 10-minute format. Chestnut started fast and remained in contention the entire way, trading early bites with challengers Patrick Bertoletti and James Webb before building separation midrace.
Minute-by-minute timeline:
- 0:00 — Contest begins. Chestnut immediately joins a fast early pace and keeps close company with James Webb and Patrick Bertoletti.
- 3:00 — Through three minutes: Chestnut 28, Webb 22, Bertoletti 21, according to midrace counts reported at the event.
- 5:00 — Halfway mark: Chestnut at about 42, holding roughly a 10-wiener lead over the nearest competitors.
- 7:00 — Chestnut continues to maintain a steady rhythm as challengers struggle to close the gap.
- 9:00 — With roughly one minute remaining, Chestnut reached 60 hot dogs and buns.
- 10:00 — Final horn; official count recorded at 66 for Chestnut.
The early battle with Webb and Bertoletti set the tone, but Chestnut’s midrace surge and steady pace in the final minutes were decisive. Officials validated each competitor’s total at the end of the allotted time.
Women’s contest: Miki Sudo
Miki Sudo won the women’s division earlier in the day, posting a total of 39 hot dogs and buns. The result continued Sudo’s remarkable run at Nathan’s — she has won every women’s contest she has entered, tallying 12 victories at the event.
Sudo’s performance remains a benchmark in the women’s field and underscores the consistency she has brought to competitive eating over more than a decade.
Legal and travel context
Chestnut competed while under a 180-day probation sentence tied to a misdemeanor case reported earlier this year. Court records and reporting indicate he was granted permission to travel for the event, allowing him to appear in New York for the Fourth of July contest.
Separately, administrative determinations had kept him out of the 2024 edition because of sponsorship and eligibility issues, making this year’s approval to travel and compete a notable development ahead of the event.
Those legal and logistical details were discussed in pre-contest coverage and factored into the attention the competition received this year.
What this win means
The 66-count and 18th title reinforce Chestnut’s long-running dominance of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. That dominance is reflected in these quick stats:
- 18 total Nathan’s crowns — the most in modern competitive eating.
- 10 straight Fourth of July wins, underlining consistency on the sport’s biggest stage.
- Chestnut remains the benchmark that challengers measure themselves against each year.
The result both cements Chestnut’s legacy in the sport and keeps the narrative of Nathan’s centered on a familiar champion who has repeatedly performed when it matters most.
Quick takeaways
- Chestnut secured his 18th title with a final total of 66 hot dogs and buns.
- The race featured an early three-way battle before Chestnut pulled away midrace.
- Miki Sudo continued her unbroken run in the women’s division with 39 and her 12th win.
Source attribution: Reporting based on coverage by Fox News and the Associated Press. For original event coverage see the Fox News report linked below; additional details were confirmed via national wire reporting.
Fox News – Sports • Associated Press
FAQs
How many hot dogs did Joey Chestnut eat to win? Chestnut was credited with 66 hot dogs and buns.
Who won the women’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest? Miki Sudo won the women’s contest with 39 hot dogs and buns.
Was Joey Chestnut allowed to travel for the contest? Yes. He was serving a 180-day probation sentence but was granted permission to travel to New York for the event.
