by Joey Chestnut won his 15th title at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Monday taking down 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Admittedly, this was not Chestnut’s best showing at the event as he entered the stage on crutches and with a surgical boot. Chestnut not only had to overcome injury to win his 15th title, but he also had to do battle with the dark side.
Joey Chestnut holds the current World Record by eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, which he set in 2021. That is one more than the previous record of 75, also set by Chestnut. Chestnut admitted that an injury had slowed him down. Last week, Chestnut said he was recovering from a ruptured tendon. “It hurts, but I was in the zone for a little bit. I was ignoring it” said Chestnut. The pain eventually slowing his pace.
The 15th win was not the most interesting part of this year’s contest however. During the mens competition, 2 animal rights protestors made their way on to the stage dressed as Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper to protest Nathan’s Famous parent company Smithfield. The Darth dressed protestor, later identified as 21 year old Scott Gilbertson of California, made his way to the front of the stage where he collided with Chestnut. While devouring a hot dog, in a moment not shown during the television broadcast, Chestnut put the protestor into a chokehold and sent him to the ground. Gilbertson was taken off stage by event staff.
Gilbertson was arrested and charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and harassment. 2 others were arrested on similar charges.
In a recent interview, Chestnut has said that he regrets putting the protestor in the chokehold, but he was in the zone and it just kind of happened. The champ has also revealed that he sees his time in competitive eating coming to an end. Joey Chestnut said he will defend his title at next year’s event.
It seems not even the Empire can stop Joey Chestnut!
