Joey Chestnut Eats 70.5 Hot Dogs to Win 17th Title at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Joey Chestnut's return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was a triumphant one, as he ate 70.5 hot dogs to win his 17th title at the annual July 4 event.

Patrick Bertoletti was a distant runner-up with 46.5 hot dogs eaten, followed by James Webb at 45.5 to round out the top three.

Chestnut actually slowed his pace as the competition went on. He was at one point on pace to eat 100 hot dogs.

The 41-year-old was banned from the 2024 event due to a sponsorship conflict stemming from his agreement with Impossible Foods. His absence opened the door for Patrick Bertoletti to win his first Nathan's Contest.

Friday's victory marks Chestnut's ninth win in his last nine appearances in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. As impressive as his resume is, he had some competition for the title of most dominant eater at Coney Island on this day.

Miki Sudo won the women's Hot Dog Eating Contest for the 11th time in the last 12 years. The only time she hasn't won during this span was in 2021 when she was pregnant and unable to compete.

Dating back to Chestnut's first victory in 2007, the only time he has lost in the event was in 2015 when Matt Stonie beat him by two dogs (62-60).

Chestnut responded by setting a new personal record with 70 hot dogs in 2016. He surpassed that total five times from 2017 to 2021, culminating with a world-record 76 dogs and buns consumed in 2021.

After his historic 2021 performance, Chestnut was able to cut down on his consumption in the next two years without sacrificing his title. He ate 63 hot dogs in 2022 and 62 in 2023.

Even now at the age of 41, Chestnut and his stomach show no signs of slowing down. He entered the Hot Dog Eating Contest in the midst of an outstanding season on the Major League Eating circuit that saw him set a world record with 15.75 pounds of smoked bologna eaten in eight minutes in May.