Joey Chestnut 'Happy' to Be Back in Nathan's July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest After Ban

After a year away from the competition he's become synonymous with, Joey Chestnut is back to compete in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Chestnut, who didn't compete last year because of his deal to represent plant-based Impossible Foods, announced last month that he'd return to the competition.

He's thrilled to back doing what he does best.

"Not competing on Fourth of July last year made me appreciate Fourth of July," Chestnut told ESPN's Jeremy Schaap. "...I'm happy I'm back."

Before last year's ban, Chestnut had won eight consecutive Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contests. He's won the competition a record 16 times in total and has the record for most hot dogs eaten with 76.

While he was unable to compete last year, Chestnut has still been working on his craft. Last September, he and long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi took part in a hot dog eating contest that aired on Netflix. Chestnut was clearly still in peak form, downing 83 hot dogs in just 10 minutes.

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the July 4 is always exciting, but it's fair to say it's a whole different event when Chestnut is competing.