All articles tagged with #competitive eating
Miki Sudo won the 2026 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island with 38.75 hot dogs, earning her 12th Mustard Belt as Michelle Lesco (22) and Domenica Dee (22) finished second and third, respectively, continuing Sudo’s dominance in the women’s division since 2014.
Joey Chestnut remains the overwhelming favorite to win Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest this year (roughly 95% odds) and could threaten his own 76-dog record; the sport’s drama has long hinged on rivalries with Kobayashi and Stonie, and Chestnut’s 2024 absence briefly cut buzz and ESPN ratings, while his 2025 return boosted viewership to about 1.62 million.
Famed competitive eater Joey Chestnut pleaded guilty to battery and is on probation; the report notes his public appearance at the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog contest, with no additional sentencing details provided in the excerpt (updated May 21, 2026).
Joey Chestnut returned to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest after being barred last year and won his 17th title by eating 70.5 hot dogs, despite less favorable weather conditions and not breaking his personal record. Miki Sudo also won the women's division, though she fell short of her record. The event marked a successful comeback for Chestnut after resolving a dispute over endorsement deals.
Joey Chestnut won his 17th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest after returning from a dispute with organizers, consuming 70.5 hot dogs, while Miki Sudo secured her 11th women's title.
Joey Chestnut won his 17th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, consuming 70.5 hot dogs, after a one-year ban, and narrowly missed his personal record of 76. The event also saw Miki Sudo win the women’s division with 33 hot dogs.
Joey Chestnut, the renowned hotdog eating champion, is returning to the Nathan's Fourth of July contest in Coney Island after a one-year suspension, and is expected to compete for his 17th title, rekindling excitement for the event and the sport of competitive eating.
Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, is returning to the competition after being banned last year due to a sponsorship conflict involving a rival brand. Chestnut, known for his record-breaking performances and multiple world records, will compete this July 4th, rekindling excitement for the event, which is a major American cultural tradition and sporting spectacle.
Joey Chestnut, a prominent competitive eater and 16-time champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, is returning to the event after being banned last year due to a sponsorship conflict with a plant-based hot dog company. Chestnut reaffirmed his loyalty to Nathan's and expressed excitement about competing again on Coney Island during the Fourth of July celebration.
Takeru Kobayashi, a six-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, has retired from competitive eating due to severe health issues caused by decades of overeating. Kobayashi, 46, revealed in a Netflix documentary that his chronic overeating has left him without an appetite or sensation of fullness, affecting his overall well-being. Despite stepping away from competitions, he aims to create a healthier hot dog using traditional Japanese ingredients.
Competitive eater Mary Bowers, raised in Colorado, used her participation in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest to bring awareness to the human rights abuses in South Korea's overseas adoption system. After discovering her own history and connecting with others who had similar experiences, Bowers joined the Australia-United States Korean Rights Group to advocate for an investigation into the adoption system. She aims to raise awareness and get the United States government involved in addressing this pressing international human rights issue. Bowers finished 8th in the contest, but her work is not over as she encourages others to sign a petition calling for an investigation into illegal and fraudulent adoptions from South Korea.
Joey Chestnut won the men's competition of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest for the 16th time, consuming 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Despite falling short of his record-setting performance in 2021, Chestnut secured his eighth straight win. In the women's competition, Miki Sudo won for the ninth time, eating 39.5 hot dogs and buns. Both winners faced tough competition but emerged victorious in the annual event held in Coney Island, New York.
The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, a Fourth of July tradition, took place in Coney Island with defending champions Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo expected to win. Miki Sudo narrowly defended her women's title by eating 39.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Joey Chestnut won the men's contest for the 15th time by consuming 63 hot dogs. The event, known for its puns and patriotism, drew thousands of spectators and was broadcast live on ESPN.
Competitive eating, such as the hot dog eating contest, can have potential health consequences. The stomach of a competitive eater can become permanently stretched out, impacting gastric emptying and potentially causing long-term issues. A study found that a competitive eater's stomach can expand significantly to accommodate more food. Participants often experience bloating, fatigue, and gastrointestinal distress after eating contests. The high sodium content in hot dogs can lead to kidney problems and increased blood pressure. Excessive fat intake can cause nausea and diarrhea. While the body can regulate back to normal after a contest, there are risks of vomiting, aspiration, and even death. Major League Eating, the organization overseeing professional competitions, emphasizes safety and discourages home training.
The annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest returns to Coney Island on July 4th, featuring reigning champions Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo defending their titles. Chestnut set a world record by eating 76 hot dogs last year, while Sudo's record is 48½ hot dogs. The contest will be broadcasted exclusively on ESPN, with coverage starting at 10:45 a.m. ET for the women's competition and at noon ET for the men's competition.