Joey Chestnut Wins 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Triumphant Return
In a remarkable comeback, Joey Chestnut reclaimed his title at the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, held at the iconic Coney Island in Brooklyn on July 4th. After sitting out last year’s competition, Chestnut showcased his skills by consuming an impressive 70.5 hot dogs and buns in just ten minutes.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Chestnut took the stage, chanting his name, “Joey, Joey, Joey!” The 41-year-old eater from Westfield, Indiana, despite his victory, fell short of his own world record of 76 hot dogs and buns set in 2021. Following the event, he reflected on his performance, saying, “I was excited, I love being here. Man, I wish I ate a couple more, I’m sorry guys, but I’ll be back next year.”
Competition Highlights
Chestnut’s closest competitor, defending champion Patrick Bertoletti, finished a distant second with 46.5 hot dogs, while James Webb took third place, eating 45.5. Chestnut also noted that he had set an unofficial world record of 83 hot dogs in a different competition last year, though that event was not recognized by Major League Eating.
In a prior interview, Chestnut had expressed a friendly rivalry with Bertoletti, stating, “Part of me wishes [Bertoletti] was a jerk. It would motivate me harder, but I love him. But I wanna win. I wanna push for a record, so I kinda feel bad for him. ‘Cause I’m gonna drop the hammer, and he’s gonna get annihilated.”
Women’s Division Dominance
On the women’s side, Miki Sudo once again demonstrated her prowess, marking her eleventh consecutive victory with a total of 33 hot dogs and buns consumed. Sudo, 39, from Tampa, Florida, has made her mark by setting a world record of 51 hot dogs last year. After the contest, she acknowledged the competition, stating, “The hot dogs were great, the weather’s beautiful, the crowd had me going. I’m thinking maybe the buns were more filling than usual. It’s OK, a win’s a win, thank you for the support.”
Sudo’s performance kept her neck-and-neck with challengers Michelle Lesco and Domenica Dee during the first half, ultimately pulling ahead by the conclusion. Lesco finished in second place with 22.75 hot dogs, while Dee secured third with 21.5.
Event Rules and History
This celebrated contest, which has become a Fourth of July tradition since 1916, draws competitors from around the country to the flagship location at Surf and Stillwell avenues. Each participant has ten minutes to devour as many hot dogs and buns as they can. Competitors must adhere to strict rules: utensils and condiments are prohibited, but water and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed during the contest.
In addition to being crowned champions, winners are also awarded the coveted Mustard Yellow Belt and a cash prize of $10,000.
Final Results
| Position | Competitor | Hot Dogs & Buns Eaten |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joey Chestnut | 70.5 |
| 2 | Patrick Bertoletti | 46.5 |
| 3 | James Webb | 45.5 |
| 1 | Miki Sudo | 33 |
| 2 | Michelle Lesco | 22.75 |
| 3 | Domenica Dee | 21.5 |
As the contest wrapped up, it was clear that Chestnut and Sudo solidified their legacies in competitive eating while thrilling an enthusiastic crowd, ensuring they will be the ones to watch as they gear up for next year’s showdown.
