One of the great American traditions on the Fourth of July takes place on the corner of Surf and
Stillwell. The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has been an Independence Day staple
since 1979. One of the annual contest’s most well-known champions, Joey Chestnut, further
cemented his legacy on Monday.
Eating 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes is tough enough. Throw in a broken foot and interference from
a rogue protester, and Joey Chestnut unironically enters the athletic “Mount Rushmore”
conversation.
Heading into the day, Chestnut was a 14-time champion. His 18th contest as a competitor, the
stakes had never been higher, as one of his dogs was on the mend. Chestnut crutched his way
to the able, downing dogs with his foot in a boot like only he could.
The injury would hinder Chestnut’s ability to employ his jumping strategy, however. Jumping
better allows for the hot dogs to move down faster, creating more digestive room for Nathan’s
Famous Hot Dogs to subsequently be stuffed in Chestnut’s mouth.
Shooting for the record he set a year ago, 76 hot dogs consumed, was going to be a tall task in
any event. Then, about two minutes in, a protester in a stormtrooper mask holding a sign that
read, “Expose Smithfield’s Death Star” charged the stage and shoved Chestnut aside.
Mid-bite, Chestnut did not flinch. He put the protester in a chokehold, taking him to the ground
before resuming his quest to capture his 15th Yellow Mustard Belt.
None of these inconveniences could stop Chestnut. 63 hot dogs later, he was a champion once
more.
Though the event is quite the spectacle, the feats accomplished are even more impressive,
despite how gut-wrenching they may appear. Training to play a baseball game is easy. You take
batting practice, and field ground balls. But training for a hot dog eating contest must be super
tough. And would you ever even get invited to a barbecue?
Along with the 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, some of the other records Chestnut holds are: 53 soft
shelled Taco Bell tacos, 55 glazed donuts in 8 minutes, and 121 Twinkies in 6 minutes. The
competitions may appear outlandish; but if you can eat it, chances are there is a competition for
it.
How long Chestnut can sustain this dominance? It remains to be seen. But the rate at which he
wins and shatters records can’t be ignored. To use the term “athlete” could be viewed as
inappropriate. Athletes are typically in tip-top shape thanks to stellar diets. But the work and
technique that goes into being a competitive eater would make Michael Jordan’s jump shot look
routine. It’s certainly more nuanced than any nonprofessional eater could imagine.
If Chestnut can stay healthy, and continue to fend off protestors, look next year for him to
perhaps reach the 80 hot dog mark in pursuit of his 16th Yellow Mustard Belt. Only in America.
