Latest news with #TakeruKobayashi
New York Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Joey Chestnut returning to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest after 2024 ban
Coney Island's top dog is back for the Fourth of July feast. Joey Chestnut — the undisputed titan of competitive eating — announced Monday that he will return to the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2025. Chestnut, often referred to as the Michael Jordan of hot dog eating, was banned from the 2024 event due to a sponsorship conflict involving a plant-based meat brand. That decision ended his bid for a ninth straight title. In response, Chestnut squared off against his longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a head-to-head hot dog eating contest on Labor Day, which aired on Netflix. Chestnut dominated, devouring a staggering 83 hot dogs to Kobayashi's 67 for a personal best and unofficial world record. Now, the 16-time Nathan's champion is back — and he's hungry to reclaim his throne. I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life. (1/3) — Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 16, 2025 Chestnut explained his absence from last year's competition in a post on X on Monday. 'While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs,' Chestnut said. 'To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with.' Advertisement He added that his 2024 absence stemmed from a miscommunication that has since been resolved. 'I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground,' Chestnut added. 'I'm excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!' With Chestnut sidelined last year, Patrick Bertoletti claimed the victory by eating 58 hot dogs. Chestnut's 2023 winning total was 62, while his Nathan's record still stands at a staggering 76 hot dogs, set in 2021. With the spotlight back on Coney Island, all eyes will be on Chestnut to see if he can deliver another legendary Fourth of July performance.
Fox News
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Joey Chestnut to compete in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest after being forced to miss 2024 event
Joey Chestnut announced on Monday he will return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest next month following his absence from the event in 2024. Chestnut, who holds the competition's record for most hot dogs eaten with 76 in 2021, wrote on social media that he and the organizers of the contest found common ground on his sponsorships. Chestnut's partnership with Impossible Foods caused an issue for Nathan's Famous last year, and it kept the champion out of the competition. Come July 4, he will be back in Coney Island. "I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life," Chestnut wrote on X. "While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with. "I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground. I'm excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands! Stay hungry!" Last year, Chestnut ate 83 hot dogs in a Netflix special event dubbed "Unfinished Beef" as he went up against competitive-eating rival Takeru Kobayashi. It was the most hot dogs ever eaten in the history of competitive eating without being dunked in water. Patrick Bertoletti won the competition last year with 58 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
National Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Joey Chestnut in talks for return to July 4 hot dog eating contest
The greatest competitive eater of all time has an appetite for more. Article content Article content According to TMZ Sports, Chestnut and Major League Eating actively are negotiating towards seeing the 16-time champion of the event return after a year on the sidelines due to a contractual beef. Article content The outlet also says that both sides are eager to get a deal in place for the event which is less than a month away. Article content Chestnut wasn't allowed by MLE to compete in last year's edition of the marquee eating contest due to his sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods — which TMZ reports is no longer a factor in discussions. Article content While Chestnut claimed that he was banned from the contest for signing with 'a rival brand,' MLE said that it was Chestnut's own choice to not compete this year in the contest that he had won 16 of the previous 17 years. Article content 'Joey was not banned. Joey chose not to compete in the contest the moment he chose to make an endorsement deal with one of Nathan's competitors,' an MLE rep told the New York Post at the time. Article content Patrick Bertoletti, who won the 2024 contest, admitted his victory had an asterisk due to the long-reigning champion's absence. Article content Chestnut did take part in a hot dog eating competition last summer, going head-to-head with long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi in a showdown streamed live on Netflix. Article content
