Competitive eating icon Joey Chestnut held onto his throne at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday, July 4th, though sweltering temperatures prevented him from putting up bigger numbers.
Chestnut secured his 18th Mustard Belt championship by consuming 66 hot dogs at the annual event held at Coney Island in New York City. That total fell short of the 70.5 dogs he ate at the 2025 competition, and well below his all-time personal record of 76 hot dogs, which he set back in 2021.
Chestnut pointed to the brutal heat gripping much of the East Coast as a major factor. Temperatures at the midday event climbed close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit — about 38 degrees Celsius — with heavy humidity that affected both the competitors’ physical condition and even the texture of the buns.
At one point during the contest, sweat was visibly pouring down Chestnut’s forehead, dripping off his nose and onto a half-eaten hot dog in his mouth.
Speaking with ESPN after his win, Chestnut acknowledged the conditions worked against him. “I knew early that I was going to win, but I also knew early I wasn’t going to break the record,” he said.
He added: “I’m not going to get into it looking for an excuse, but yeah, it slowed me down.”
Last year’s champion, Patrick Bertoletti, finished in second place this time around, eating 51 hot dogs.
In the women’s competition, undefeated champion Miki Sudo captured her 12th title, finishing with 38.75 hot dogs eaten.
