Current and former hot dog-eating champs faced off in Thursday’s weigh-in ceremony for Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest.
This year, the hot dog-eating world record-holder Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, is back at the competition after he skipped last year’s event over a contract dispute.
Chestnut is expected to dominate the men’s competition in what will be his twentieth appearance. He’s won 16 titles and holds the world record of eating 76 hot dogs.
Last year, Patrick Bertoletti, of Chicago gobbled up a gut-wrenching 58 at the competition in Coney Island, in 10 minutes, earning the men’s title.
Bertoletti said Thursday during the weigh-in ceremony in New York that having Chestnunt back “extra motivation.”
“It didn’t feel right last year with him not being there. He’s back this year. The world is whole again, and we’re both gonna be going for the record,” said Bertoletti.
Defending champion Miki Sudo won her